Increasing media attention for wars in Africa. Focus: Sudan and DR Congo

While the horrors in Gaza and Ukraine fill the headlines in the media, the wars in Eastern Congo and Sudan get relatively little attention, even though the latter is currently described by the UN as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Challenges to report on these conflicts are indeed huge, with immense dangers or no possibility whatsoever for journalists to work locally, as in Gaza.

The African Studies Centre Leiden is organising a panel discussion with representatives from the media, NGOs and academia on 9 October at 16.00 in Plexus Student Centre, Leiden, to discuss:

* Why do the conflicts in Africa receive so little attention; what are the obstacles to report and focus on them?

* In what ways can the media report on these conflicts?

* What roles can academia, knowledge institutes, and NGOs play?

All are welcome to join the discussion, registration is required (see below).
This event can be attended only in person and not online.

Panelists:

• Annegina Randewijk, investigative journalist / Africa editor, Nederlands Dagblad
• Carlijne Vos, chief foreign editor, De Volkskrant
• Alphonse Muambi, author, speaker, and lobbyist on DRC
• Bastiaan van Blokland, press officer, Netherlands Red Cross
• Rahmane Idrissa, senior researcher, African Studies Centre Leiden

Moderator:

• David Ehrhardt, associate professor, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University

► Please note this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule, meaning that participants can use information from the discussion, but not traceable to the identity or affiliation of any speaker. The rule is designed to encourage openness of discussion. 

► The panel discussion is part of the ASCL & Society Day on 9 October, during which we will also present the new ASCL Research Programme 2025-2029. If you are interested in attending that presentation, at 13.00, please send an email to asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl.

► Check out the web resources on the Sudan conflict and the Congo conflict, selected by the African Library.