Supporting research in Sudan
The Centre for Economic, Legal and Social Studies (CEDEJ Khartoum) carries out collaborative, multidisciplinary research programmes in contemporary Sudan. Institutions, professors, researchers and graduate students—both Sudanese and international—contribute to the scholarly activities coordinated by CEDEJ Khartoum.
Our premises are open from Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm.
We are situated in Khartoum 2 at the West Side of Faruq Cemetery.
CEDEJ facilities include a communal study room equipped with a library specialized in Sudan and South Sudan and Wi-Fi, a meeting room, a veranda and a garden for informal meetings and bathroom facilities.
A call for Field scholarships is launched twice a year for Master and Phd candidates as well as for senior researchers. As part of this, relations with University of Khartoum are always encouraged.
Accommodation: newly-arrived researchers can be hosted in our Guest House (subject to availability). We have two individual rooms and one collective room. You can contact us for more information about accommodation in Khartoum.
Sponsorship arrangements for visiting students and researchers
CEDEJ Khartoum, in collaboration with the University of Khartoum, has supported dozens of foreign and Sudanese researchers and graduate students in conducting research in Sudan. These include master and doctoral students and senior researchers of a variety of nationalities from Europe, America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and from a wide range of disciplines.
CEDEJ Khartoum, with the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies of the University of Khartoum, can facilitate CEDEJ affiliated researchers’ administrative procedure for obtaining a visa, research permit and travel permit, and assist generally with access to the field in Sudan. Please note that CEDEJ cannot be held responsible for any administrative difficulties or visa denials. The institutional affiliation and visa sponsorship process takes at least two months. The process starts with CEDEJ Khartoum obtaining an invitation letter from the University of Khartoum, and ends with the transmission of a visa approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon receiving the visa approval, the incoming researcher can obtain a business visa from their nearest Sudanese embassy (usually Paris or London), or at arrival. The researchers must then enter Sudan within two months from the date of visa grant. After arriving in Sudan, foreigners must register their passport with the local authorities, and the visa can be extended for limited period with additional fees.
Foreign researchers are accountable to their visa sponsors (mainly the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies at the University of Khartoum, and the CEDEJ coordinator) for the duration of their stay, and must abide by all Sudanese laws.
Useful informations
Compared with other large African cities (and other parts of Sudan), Khartoum is quite safe, with low crime rates and violence against foreigners being rare. Foreign governments warn about the risk of terrorist attacks, but these are extremely rare. Foreigners should take normal safety precautions, as they would in any large city (e.g. avoid unlit streets at night, beware of pickpockets in crowded places, carry minimal cash). We recommend to be especially careful while driving or travelling out of Khartoum.
Foreigners should be aware of the following local laws and norms: photography of slum areas or beggars, government buildings, or infrastructure is forbidden (a photography permit is required); importation and consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited; both Sudanese men and women usually wear modest dress (no shorts).
“Travel permit”: Researchers will need a travel permit issued by the Sudanese to travel anywhere out of Khartoum. The northern states surrounding Khartoum are safe to visit, and the government popular destinations such as the archaeological sites of Meroe and Karima, and the cities of Port Sudan and Kassala. However, some parts of the Sudanese regions of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan may be less safe and more difficult to access at the present time.
Money: International electronic funds (Visa or MasterCards ATMs, Western Union) are not available in Sudan. Foreigners must bring hard currency (USD or Euro). If staying for an extended period, it may be necessary to travel outside Sudan to stock-up on cash. Bank transfer may also be difficult so do not hesitate to contact your bank before travelling.
Foreigners should ensure they have travel insurance. Note that some insurance companies have exclusions for travel to Sudan. As such, you may need to pay a surcharge to waive the exclusion, or purchase special high risk travel insurance. Do not forget that purchasing repatriation insurance is also an option.
For further and updated country security guidelines, see the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.