Hafsa Halawa
@hafsahalawa.bsky.social
Egyptian/Iraqi Brit. Political analyst and mediation specialist, working across MENA/Horn of Africa. Views here my own. RT ≠ endorsement.
Pinned
Hafsa Halawa
@hafsahalawa.bsky.social
· Dec 13
Wow 😮 😍
The most beautiful video you will see today: is Damascus now. People are celebrating, full of joy. We deserve it! 💚
The most beautiful video you will see today: is Damascus now. People are celebrating, full of joy. We deserve it! 💚
Today, 2011 doesn’t feel like a distant memory for any of us.
It feels like yesterday.
It feels like it can still be tomorrow.
It feels like yesterday.
It feels like it can still be tomorrow.
Reposted by Hafsa Halawa
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
November 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
Honestly, I just laughed through most of this article:
““When you flush the toilet, the stuff goes downhill, right?” the architect asked…“We’re going to have hundreds of shuttle cars running back and forth, picking up the sewage on retractable bridges.””
End of The Line ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
““When you flush the toilet, the stuff goes downhill, right?” the architect asked…“We’re going to have hundreds of shuttle cars running back and forth, picking up the sewage on retractable bridges.””
End of The Line ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Honestly, I just laughed through most of this article:
““When you flush the toilet, the stuff goes downhill, right?” the architect asked…“We’re going to have hundreds of shuttle cars running back and forth, picking up the sewage on retractable bridges.””
End of The Line ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
““When you flush the toilet, the stuff goes downhill, right?” the architect asked…“We’re going to have hundreds of shuttle cars running back and forth, picking up the sewage on retractable bridges.””
End of The Line ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:27 AM
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What is happening in Darfur is utterly devastating, made more painful by how we all saw it coming. You can’t really say you didn’t know, but if you didn’t, read this:
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/202...
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/202...
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
Communication networks are down but a deluge of shocking videos point to mass killings on a devastating scale.
www.thenewhumanitarian.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:12 AM
What is happening in Darfur is utterly devastating, made more painful by how we all saw it coming. You can’t really say you didn’t know, but if you didn’t, read this:
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/202...
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/202...
First London, now New York.
If there’s one post-2001 legacy thesis that is yet to be written, it’s about mayoral elections in these two cities.
If there’s one post-2001 legacy thesis that is yet to be written, it’s about mayoral elections in these two cities.
November 5, 2025 at 8:04 AM
First London, now New York.
If there’s one post-2001 legacy thesis that is yet to be written, it’s about mayoral elections in these two cities.
If there’s one post-2001 legacy thesis that is yet to be written, it’s about mayoral elections in these two cities.
There should be something impactful and meaningful about accountability that one has ready to say when it’s announced Dick Cheney has died.
But maybe, actually, it’s enough that today will only ever be remembered as the day Zohran Mamdani becomes the Mayor of New York City.
But maybe, actually, it’s enough that today will only ever be remembered as the day Zohran Mamdani becomes the Mayor of New York City.
November 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
There should be something impactful and meaningful about accountability that one has ready to say when it’s announced Dick Cheney has died.
But maybe, actually, it’s enough that today will only ever be remembered as the day Zohran Mamdani becomes the Mayor of New York City.
But maybe, actually, it’s enough that today will only ever be remembered as the day Zohran Mamdani becomes the Mayor of New York City.
Reposted by Hafsa Halawa
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
The massacres carried out by the RSF in El Fasher, Darfur, with the support of its UAE sponsors, will only stop when the international community acts, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
Reposted by Hafsa Halawa
The folks at The Continent continue to commission the reporting of some of the best Sudanese journalists on the ground, read Khalid Elwalid's full story from page 13 onwards.
And check in with your Sudanese friends.
www.thecontinent.org
And check in with your Sudanese friends.
www.thecontinent.org
The Continent | Africa
The Continent is an award-winning African newspaper, designed to be read and shared on WhatsApp.
www.thecontinent.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The folks at The Continent continue to commission the reporting of some of the best Sudanese journalists on the ground, read Khalid Elwalid's full story from page 13 onwards.
And check in with your Sudanese friends.
www.thecontinent.org
And check in with your Sudanese friends.
www.thecontinent.org
Infuriating to see political voices in the West against what is happening in El Fasher, when powerful Sudanese voices have been warning about this for months if not years. It’s disingenuous to act surprised, pretend it’s a shock or find your voice now with this phase of genocide in Darfur underway.
October 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Infuriating to see political voices in the West against what is happening in El Fasher, when powerful Sudanese voices have been warning about this for months if not years. It’s disingenuous to act surprised, pretend it’s a shock or find your voice now with this phase of genocide in Darfur underway.
We need urgent, immediate intervention in Sudan. For months now, I’ve been proposing an Astana-like process to conduct negotiations between Egypt & UAE - be it convened by Russia or by the United States. We can sit on our hands and argue ‘do no harm’ principles, or we can be realistic about this war
October 29, 2025 at 8:43 AM
We need urgent, immediate intervention in Sudan. For months now, I’ve been proposing an Astana-like process to conduct negotiations between Egypt & UAE - be it convened by Russia or by the United States. We can sit on our hands and argue ‘do no harm’ principles, or we can be realistic about this war
We live in an era of changed diplomacy in the Middle East, with the rising power of Gulf nations and their influence on regional dynamics and international diplomacy. Whilst a more coherent Arab position has long been sought…(1/2)
October 28, 2025 at 5:06 AM
We live in an era of changed diplomacy in the Middle East, with the rising power of Gulf nations and their influence on regional dynamics and international diplomacy. Whilst a more coherent Arab position has long been sought…(1/2)
Must watch interview on @channel4news.bsky.social by @krishgm.bsky.social last night with Kholood Khair on developments in Sudan amid the RSF takeover of El Fasher in North Darfur. Utterly devastating for all Sudanese; important info, background & warnings from Kholood:
youtu.be/XQV8ZMR3CrM?...
youtu.be/XQV8ZMR3CrM?...
Major escalation in Sudan war as RSF claims all of Darfur
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Must watch interview on @channel4news.bsky.social by @krishgm.bsky.social last night with Kholood Khair on developments in Sudan amid the RSF takeover of El Fasher in North Darfur. Utterly devastating for all Sudanese; important info, background & warnings from Kholood:
youtu.be/XQV8ZMR3CrM?...
youtu.be/XQV8ZMR3CrM?...
El Fasher is on all of those who have remained silent, or ignored the cold reality of what all knew would happen under RSF takeover.
Geneina, Zamzam…we knew this. We were warned. Two previous genocides just in this war alone. Everyone stood back, watched. Stayed silent, and let this happen.
Geneina, Zamzam…we knew this. We were warned. Two previous genocides just in this war alone. Everyone stood back, watched. Stayed silent, and let this happen.
October 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
El Fasher is on all of those who have remained silent, or ignored the cold reality of what all knew would happen under RSF takeover.
Geneina, Zamzam…we knew this. We were warned. Two previous genocides just in this war alone. Everyone stood back, watched. Stayed silent, and let this happen.
Geneina, Zamzam…we knew this. We were warned. Two previous genocides just in this war alone. Everyone stood back, watched. Stayed silent, and let this happen.
Americans are actually coming out en masse to *defend* Islamophobia. Up in arms at Mamdani giving agency and voice to the discrimination that Muslims have endured in the West, escalating on a visceral scale since 2001.
I’ve long thought nothing can surprise me, but honestly, this really does.
I’ve long thought nothing can surprise me, but honestly, this really does.
October 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Americans are actually coming out en masse to *defend* Islamophobia. Up in arms at Mamdani giving agency and voice to the discrimination that Muslims have endured in the West, escalating on a visceral scale since 2001.
I’ve long thought nothing can surprise me, but honestly, this really does.
I’ve long thought nothing can surprise me, but honestly, this really does.
“Tigray is broken. Its leaders divided, some aligning with Addis Ababa, others with Eritrea. Another war looms, one that could pit Tigrayans against each other. I fought once to defend my people; I will not fight again in a war that will destroy what remains.” continent.substack.com/p/the-exodus...
The exodus out of Tigray
Young people are leaving en masse – and don’t know if they’ll ever come back.
continent.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:18 AM
“Tigray is broken. Its leaders divided, some aligning with Addis Ababa, others with Eritrea. Another war looms, one that could pit Tigrayans against each other. I fought once to defend my people; I will not fight again in a war that will destroy what remains.” continent.substack.com/p/the-exodus...
Reposted by Hafsa Halawa
Embracing secondary, doubtful status for Muslims has major policy implications. Biden’s moral+strategic disaster on Gaza, for instance, flows directly from the broad acceptance among US elites that mass punishment + destruction post-10/7 was unavoidable. Huge, horrific, still unfolding consequences.
October 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Embracing secondary, doubtful status for Muslims has major policy implications. Biden’s moral+strategic disaster on Gaza, for instance, flows directly from the broad acceptance among US elites that mass punishment + destruction post-10/7 was unavoidable. Huge, horrific, still unfolding consequences.
These are moments when history is being made. In this election, a monumental watershed moment has arrived.
“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct—there are many who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.” - Zohran Mamdani.
“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct—there are many who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.” - Zohran Mamdani.
The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker.
And yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that, and endure hatred and bigotry in the shadows.
No more.
And yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that, and endure hatred and bigotry in the shadows.
No more.
My Message to Muslim New Yorkers — and Everyone Who Calls This City Home.
YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC
www.youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
These are moments when history is being made. In this election, a monumental watershed moment has arrived.
“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct—there are many who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.” - Zohran Mamdani.
“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct—there are many who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.” - Zohran Mamdani.
The last few weeks of this heightened, racialised, sectarian narrative growing against Mamdani as he runs away with the election reminds me of where we were when Zac Goldsmith spewed utter bile and venomous crap about Sadiq Khan before Khan stormed the election to become the Mayor of London.
October 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The last few weeks of this heightened, racialised, sectarian narrative growing against Mamdani as he runs away with the election reminds me of where we were when Zac Goldsmith spewed utter bile and venomous crap about Sadiq Khan before Khan stormed the election to become the Mayor of London.
It’s really incredible how, despite 10 years in (de facto) power, no one in the West seems to have learnt a single thing about MbS’ Saudi Arabia.
But please, carry on filling your time with hopeless, wasteful words that don’t ring true of any kind of real analysis or understanding.
But please, carry on filling your time with hopeless, wasteful words that don’t ring true of any kind of real analysis or understanding.
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
It’s really incredible how, despite 10 years in (de facto) power, no one in the West seems to have learnt a single thing about MbS’ Saudi Arabia.
But please, carry on filling your time with hopeless, wasteful words that don’t ring true of any kind of real analysis or understanding.
But please, carry on filling your time with hopeless, wasteful words that don’t ring true of any kind of real analysis or understanding.
Today is a reminder that the shrill, baseless screaming coming from Israel that “everything is Hamas” doesn’t stand up to any real scrutiny by serious people or serious institutions. Today is a victory not just for UNRWA. But for rule of law. And serious judges that occupy the seats at the ICJ.
October 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Today is a reminder that the shrill, baseless screaming coming from Israel that “everything is Hamas” doesn’t stand up to any real scrutiny by serious people or serious institutions. Today is a victory not just for UNRWA. But for rule of law. And serious judges that occupy the seats at the ICJ.
The years-long trickle of information crystallising the story, is just utterly chilling. It’s hard to stomach, it’s almost too hard to believe, I cannot imagine the trauma inflicted upon these young girls for so long. Rest in your truth, rest in power, Virginia. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Prince Andrew - Could more women now come forward?
Podcast Episode · The News Agents · 21/10/2025 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The years-long trickle of information crystallising the story, is just utterly chilling. It’s hard to stomach, it’s almost too hard to believe, I cannot imagine the trauma inflicted upon these young girls for so long. Rest in your truth, rest in power, Virginia. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Raila Odinga, Former Kenyan Prime Minister and Champion of Democracy, Dies at 80
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
Raila Odinga, Former Kenyan Prime Minister and Champion of Democracy, Dies at 80
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Raila Odinga, Former Kenyan Prime Minister and Champion of Democracy, Dies at 80
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
He’s trying to orchestrate an “Oslo moment”.
October 13, 2025 at 10:07 AM
He’s trying to orchestrate an “Oslo moment”.
Reposted by Hafsa Halawa
If you've never been to Gaza, you won't appreciate what the yellow line means. Basically Israel now holds most of Gaza's small but important agricultural land. Continued Israeli occupation, which I judge the likely outcome, makes Gaza even more unliveable and more dependent on outside goods.
Gaza Strip: Israeli army has withdrawn to the 'yellow line'
AFP Infographic with map of the Gaza Strip showing the 'yellow line' where the Israeli army has withdrawn its forces as of October 10, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff
AFP Infographic with map of the Gaza Strip showing the 'yellow line' where the Israeli army has withdrawn its forces as of October 10, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff
October 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
If you've never been to Gaza, you won't appreciate what the yellow line means. Basically Israel now holds most of Gaza's small but important agricultural land. Continued Israeli occupation, which I judge the likely outcome, makes Gaza even more unliveable and more dependent on outside goods.