Hire Now
Message Joshua
See how it works
Book Joshua with Paydesk
Make your booking securely through paydesk for these benefits:
1
Preferred Booking Channel
Joshua is more likely to commit to assignments booked through paydesk, as it is a trusted platform that validates the seriousness and legitimacy of each engagement.2
Insured Bookings for Peace of Mind
We provide basic insurance coverage with each booking on paydesk, giving both you and the media professional confidence and protection while they work for you.3
Effortless Online Payment
Paydesk offers a payment protection system to ensure payments are only finalized when you are satisfied with the job completion. Freelancers trusts our process that guarantees their efforts are rewarded upon successful delivery of servicesStill have questions?
Check FAQAbout Joshua
I am a writer. Recent subjects have included a short story about a hunt for unique gestures amid the sad repetitions of stock photography, an essay about money and migration in Juba, South Sudan, and a grammar of redacted documents. Currently, I am a 2014 UNESCO Laureate Artist in Creative Writing. I just finished a residency at the Dar Al-Ma'mûn, in Marrakech, Morocco. I am a Collegiate Assistant Professor and Harper-Schmidt Fellow at the University of Chicago. I was educated at the University of Oxford, l'EHESS-Paris, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of California, Berkeley; I have a Ph.D. in socio-cultural anthropology from the latter institution. I have lived in Britain, Cambodia, Egypt, France, the Netherlands, Kenya, America, and South Sudan. I've taught political philosophy at Sciences-Po Paris, and anthropology at Berkeley, and in San Quentin State Prison, California. I have a book under contract with the British publishers Hurst & Co., provisionally entitled Line Language: On the Borders of the Middle East, and am working on my first novel, Redacted Mind. I am also a researcher on South Sudan with Small Arms Survey, the nonfiction editor of Asymptote, a journal of literature in translation, and a fellow at the The Nation Institute's Investigative Fund. My work has been published in the British Guardian, the Washington Monthly, and Onsite Review, amongst others places. You can reach me by email at my first name, followed by a dot, and then my second name, and then @gmail.com.
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Taxonomies of Hunger
The article discusses the increasing hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa, exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, and economic collapse. It highlights the use of starvation as a weapon of war and the fragility of import-reliant economies. The text critiques the international humanitarian system's approach to famine, noting the historical use of famine as a war tactic and the visual grammar associated with famine appeals. The article also examines the economic transformations that have left African states vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
From petrodollars to licenses: South Sudan’s post
The article explores the transformation of South Sudan's political economy following the decline of oil rents as a primary source of regime stability. From 2005 to 2012, oil rents were used to secure loyalty among armed groups, but the partial collapse of oil revenues and the outbreak of civil war in 2012-2013 led to a shift towards a political economy based on distributing appointments and licenses. This shift has intensified inequality and enabled continued elite domination, with the emergence of a market economy facilitating this transformation. The article suggests that while this form of elite domination is likely to persist, it will not lead to peace.
Rule by Militia
The article examines the rise of militias as a dominant force in global politics, particularly in regions like Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. It argues that militias, often state-supported, have become crucial to state power, challenging traditional notions of state sovereignty. The piece highlights the economic motivations behind militia activities, linking them to global supply chains and resource extraction. It criticizes international economic policies and state-building efforts that have inadvertently empowered militias and rentier elites, suggesting that a reevaluation of global economic structures is necessary to address the root causes of militia dominance.
Rule by Militia
The article explores the rise of militias as a dominant force in global governance, particularly in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. It argues that militias, often state-supported, have become essential to state power, challenging traditional notions of state monopoly on violence. The piece highlights the economic motivations behind militia activities, such as control over resources and global supply chains, and critiques the international community's role in perpetuating these systems. The author suggests that addressing global economic inequalities and the surplus of disenfranchised youth is crucial for resolving militia-driven governance issues.
Famine and Civil War in Sudan
Sudan is facing a severe famine exacerbated by a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions displaced and widespread food insecurity. The SAF and RSF have disrupted agriculture and aid distribution, worsening the famine. The UN and international aid agencies face challenges in delivering aid due to SAF's control over aid routes and RSF's predatory practices. The article highlights the historical and political roots of Sudan's food insecurity, emphasizing the need for systemic change to address the crisis.
Only You Can Save Darfur
Darfur is experiencing severe conflict as fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to mass displacement and violence. The RSF's attack on El Geneina in mid-May resulted in significant casualties and destruction, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Shootings in Khartoum
On April 15, clashes began in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary forces of his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemedti.' Initially, Hemedti's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seemed to have the upper hand, but SAF's superior firepower eventually repelled them. The conflict stems from tensions over the integration of the RSF into the army and the political process following the December 2022 Framework Agreement, which aimed to transition to civilian-led governance. The article traces the historical roots of Sudan's conflicts, the economic empires built by military and paramilitary forces, and the political maneuvers leading up to the current clashes. The outcome of this conflict, occurring in the urban centers of Khartoum, marks a departure from previous civil wars fought in the peripheries and challenges Sudan's centralist elitism.
Death by Peace: How South Sudan’s Peace Agreement Ate the Grassroots
The peace agreement in South Sudan, signed in 2018, has not led to a flourishing nation but has instead undermined grassroots institutions and intensified violence in many regions. The power-sharing arrangement has created a centralized regime in Juba, which appoints officials at all levels and has fractured opposition forces. The agreement has led to a centralized fragmentation, where power is held by a wealthy class in Juba, while violence is used as a tool of population management elsewhere. The humanitarian sector sustains the population, but also contributes to the government's control. The peace agreement has created a durable form of disorder, with the state withdrawing from service provision and relying on violent resource extraction. The real opposition in South Sudan is not represented in the peace agreement and consists of ethnically organized defense forces and a class of young men and women marginalized by the current political economy. Diplomats in Juba acknowledge the peace agreement's failure but lack the imagination and political will to seek alternatives.
Darfur: The New Massacres
The article discusses the ongoing conflict in Darfur, highlighting the resurgence of violence between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebranded version of the Janjaweed militias. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, particularly among the Masalit community, and has displaced thousands to Chad. The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been accused of ethnic violence and looting, while the SAF has been criticized for failing to protect civilians. The article also explores the historical context of the conflict, including the role of former President Omar al-Bashir and the complex dynamics between various ethnic and political groups in Sudan.
Playing Angry Birds with General Johnson Olonyi
General Johnson Olonyi, a prominent South Sudanese rebel leader, navigates a complex political landscape marked by betrayal, manipulation, and ongoing conflict. Despite peace agreements, violence persists as the government leverages rebel commanders for political gain. Olonyi's journey from a defender of the Shilluk people to a government-aligned figure highlights the intricate dynamics of power and loyalty in South Sudan. The article underscores the challenges of achieving lasting peace in a nation where military strength often dictates political influence.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium
doloremque laudantium,
totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur?
doloremque laudantium,
totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur?
Want to see more portfolio samples?
Sign up to paydesk, it’s free!
Log In
Sign Up
×
Joshua's
confirmed information
✓
Joined
Dec 2014