I’ve been reporting on Sudan since 2001, including Darfur. What haunts me most after three years of war is not only today’s violence, but how past atrocities fade without memory or accountability, making genocide feel new again. My story in De Telegraaf
I don’t usually write about nature — I write about conflict. But when a rare gorilla twin is born in the middle of a conflict zone in eastern DRC, the story becomes impossible to ignore. New life in the shadow of instability. Article just out in De Telegraaf
Something I never imagined when starting out on Tik Tok, but now forming a Content Gang to create stories across Kenya and Africa
The Americans are back in the Sahel.
Not because
In my new piece, I break down why
South Sudan hurts to write about. I lived there in 2001 during the war, watched the peace deal being signed in 2005. Now I'm reporting again on a security crisis inside an independent South Sudan. The child soldiers I met back then are adults with families, yet the war never really left
For many Africans applying for visas to Europe, it’s a maze with almost no exits. When the legal path disappears into refusals, some end up on boats across the Mediterranean, with tragic consequences. My column looks at what it says about who gets to move freely in the world #visa #migration #Africa
Africa’s wars are going airborne. Iran’s Shahed drones—famous from Ukraine—now show up in Sudan and Ethiopia, while cheap consumer drones are hacked into flying weapons. Experts say there’s no battlefield left without the ominous buzz of drones: no rules, no limits, and a growing sky full of danger.
After decades on the road, hotels were always my default. Business travellers choosing apartments never made sense to me. Until an accidental stay showed how an apartment moves at your own rhythm and quietly boosts creativity. Travel isn’t just distance; it’s self‑discovery.
My pitches and candid analyses as the vintage Africa correspondent for newspaper and international multimedia. Please read, comment and share:
ruudelmendorp.substack.com
#ruudelmendorp #substack #analysis #Africa
At the Iranian Embassy in Nairobi, Ambassador Ali Gholampour calls Iran’s regional strikes legitimate self‑defence and criticises governments that stayed silent on the earlier US and Israeli attack. Kenya condemns Iran’s retaliation but not the initial strike #Iran #Iranwar #Kenya
Here is my heartbreaking story in De Telegraaf about parents and siblings of Kenyans who were lured into the Russian army and then forced to the frontline in Ukraine. Many odf these young men are reported missing or dead, while their pictures in combat uniform appear online #Kenya #Russia #Ukraine
I have a history with Tik Tok. First being lambasted as being a grandpa. But now they accepted me and started with coproductions with local content creators. How? By being myself and stay away from geopolitics. If you don't like the hammer, don't touch the nails
So cool. I had this exact problem as a lefty journalist with all the hate, but I deleted the app. I find that this comment resonates. Would you care to share what you did differently to be able to share those stories?
Barely a week after the UN warned of “hallmarks of genocide” in Darfur, RSF commander Hemedti shows up on a state visit to Museveni in Kampala — and Uganda isn’t the only country warming to him. Once again, trade and geopolitics trump a humanitarian disaster.
Het moment waarvan je wist dat het zou komen.
Nederland - een van de rijkste landen ter wereld. Schaamteloos.
Mede mogelijk gemaakt door ‘middenpartijen’ CDA en D66, die notabene allebei een achterban hebben dit solidariteit met mensen over onze grenzen heen wél belangrijk vindt.
The Sahel feels like a Greek myth right now: easy to break with the old order, much harder to rule the chaos that follows. Now Niger even threatens with war against France.
My analysis today in De Telegraaf.
#Sahel #Niger
A Sudanese Rapid Support Forces training camp in Ethiopia. That has been dominating the news in the last week, and if found true it would be a major escalation of the war in Sudan. Here is my analysis in De Telegraaf #Sudan #SudanWar
Saudi Arabia is clearly modernising. After women recently were allowed to apply for a passport; it's now the turn for camels. They are now eligible for a passport. Details about whether a passport picture will be mandatory are not disclosed yet #camels #passport #saudiarabia #women
I first lived in South Sudan in 2001, through war, bombers and hope. I met Garang, Kiir and Machar, and stood there when peace was signed. To see that hope destroyed by their feud is heartbreaking, but the story must be told #SouthSudan #Telegraaf
As Sudan’s war approaches its 4th year on April 15, there’s still no end in sight. Today I report on how the Rapid Support Forces are pushing into Kordofan. UN human rights chief Volker Türk warns for a new massacre like in El-Fasher
Full story: www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/v...
#Sudan #SudanWar
Two years ago I joined TikTok as an experiment—not to dance, but to tell stories. The comments were brutal. I stayed, refined the craft, and built a sharp mobile workflow. Now TikTok is part of my reporting toolkit. Short‑form stories with substance?
www.tiktok.com/@ruudelmendorp
Come to my Tik Tok. Have been building it for a while and it's getting nice traction in both stories and views. 400+ videos
www.tiktok.com/@ruudelmendorp
Kruger National Park closing its gates after extreme rains isn’t climate alarmism, it’s reality. When entire ecosystems shut down due to shifting weather, we need to think hard about action. But how when major powers are stepping back instead of leading?
#climate #geopolitics #Kruger #SouthAfrica
"Sudan is a chronicle of cruelty." UN Secretary Volker Türk after his visit to the country at war now for three years. He said there is still a chance for peace because the power of the people of Sudan is not broken #Sudan #Sudanwar #VolkerTürk
Opposition leader Bobi Wine has rejected Uganda’s election results as fraudulent. Today, the electoral commission declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner with 71.65% of the vote, while Wine received 24.72%. Wine is calling for peaceful protest #UgandaDecides2026 #UgandaElections2026 #BobiWine
Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine calls on the Uganda population to reject the election results because "they are fake'. Wine calls for peaceful protest and scrutiny of the votes #ugandadecides2026 #ugandaelections2026
Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine abducted, tensions are rising in Uganda after the January 15th elections. The official result will be announced today #UgandaDecides2026 #BobiWine
The Donald Trump administration is indefinitely suspending visa applications for travellers from 75 countries, including visitors from almost half of Africa. The State Department says to reassesses how likely these foreigners could become a “public charge” on US taxpayers #trump #americafirst #maga
The Donald Trump administration is indefinitely suspending visa applications for travellers from 75 countries, including visitors from almost half of Africa. The State Department says to reassesses how likely these foreigners could become a “public charge” on US taxpayers #trump #americafirst #maga
After 40 years in power, President Museveni is seeking a 7th term. In my De Telegraaf piece today, I describe the family drama in which Museveni repeatedly refuses to hand over to his son, a saga that feels like Prince Charles’ decades-long wait for the throne
#UgandaElections #Museveni #Leadership
