At the end of 1984, Sudan shot into the headlines as a result of famines, floods, locusts, political instability and civil war. In describing the collapse of Sudan's state and economy, Sudan After Nimeiri emphasises the extent of the country's current predicament and explains the difficulty of potential solutions.

Amongst the issues discussed are environmental and ecological problems, economic collapse, famine, debt, refugees, the role of Islam in Sudanese politics, Nimeiri's downfall and the administrative problems facing the transitional and present governments.