By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus – Yousif Abakr Fadol Boshara, a student of Kampala International University (KIU) pursuing a Master of Laws in Public International Law, argues that poor public service delivery, acute marginalization, and a lack of common understanding have intensified conflicts across Africa.

He explains that many African countries are particularly vulnerable to instability due to inadequate public services and socio-economic marginalization, especially in rural areas. In his newly published book, Features from The Rural Community, Boshara highlights the suffering he witnessed in Sudan’s villages, where famine, poor healthcare, inadequate infrastructure, and marginalization are prevalent.

“My book is the result of extensive research conducted in the villages of Sudan. It discusses the struggles of people in rural settings as they try to make ends meet amidst poor service delivery, poverty, and many forms of marginalization,” he explains.

Boshara’s homeland, Sudan, has been in turmoil since the fall of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in a military coup on April 11, 2019. The situation worsened in April 2023, when a civil war broke out between two major rival factions of the military government: the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces under the leadership of Hemedti, who is associated with the Janjaweed militia. The conflict began during Ramadan on April 15, 2023.

This ongoing civil war has forced over 6.1 million Sudanese people to flee to other regions within the country, while over 1.5 million have sought refuge abroad. Despite these alarming figures, Boshara continues to reside in Sudan, where he practices law and leads the Khartoum-based Alkitab Organisation, which focuses on creating awareness in Sudan.

He insists that the conflict in Sudan, as well as in other African countries, can only be resolved if the conflicting parties engage in dialogue and develop a shared understanding.

“It is very easy to end conflicts in Africa because we already know the root causes—poverty, greed, poor service delivery, discrimination, and marginalization, among others. We just need to sit down, address the differences and questions, and develop a common understanding,” Boshara says.

He adds, “I believe that once our leaders embrace prosperity, unity, and equal distribution of public services, most of Africa will become more peaceful. Widespread conflicts will cease, but for everything to return to normal, dialogue must come first”.

When Boshara joined KIU in August 2024, he quickly realized that while many students from Sudan were studying at the university, there was no platform to unite them. As a result, he spearheaded the creation of the KIU Sudan Students Association, a platform that has since brought together most Sudanese students at Uganda’s leading private university.

“We are also helping new students settle in at KIU and in Kansanga. Some of our fellow students are here in Uganda for the first time, so the KIU Sudan Students' Association is the best platform to help them familiarize themselves with life in Kampala,” Boshara explains.

After completing his Master of Laws in Public International Law, Boshara plans to pursue a PhD and also become an assistant lecturer in law. “I would definitely want to teach here at Uganda’s leading university because I am sure I would gain invaluable experience,” he shares.

“I want to express my gratitude to KIU for providing me with a platform to explore the world of knowledge and other aspects of life,” he adds.

Boshara’s second book, which focuses on the Zagawa community in the conflict-ridden Darfur region, is currently being printed in Egypt and is expected to be released by March 2025.

He has also urged fellow students to stay informed by reading widely, believing that “books can change lives”.