From a conflict zone in Somalia straight to the dinner table at home, it doesn’t work. A rare moment where I truly felt the gap between worlds, and realised: you need to decompress somewhere before you can really arrive. Here is my column in De Telegraaf.

In South Africa, migrants are becoming the face of growing anger, facing intimidation and violence. Watching this as a Dutch journalist, it’s hard not to think of the Dutch migration debate. Different context, yes. But the same risk: when rhetoric hardens, reality can follow.

Colombian mercenaries fighting in Darfur appear to have been trained on UAE soil, according to Human Rights Watch. Activists say a red line has been crossed — and are calling on governments and the NBA to rethink ties with the Emirates.

Ebola is spreading from DR Congo into neighbouring countries, but the real driver may be mistrust, not medicine. Why is this outbreak getting so much attention now? Here is my analysis in De Telegraaf.

eSwatini is the last country in Africa that still recognizes Taiwan. No Chinese billions, no megaprojects—yet it survives. Like the Asterix village holding out against an empire, this story looks beyond the obvious and asks whether following the world’s rules is the only way forward.

Every trip leaves an impression, but this one stands out. Puntland, amid a massive prolonged drought. An ancient land of camels, frankincense and the fabled Land of Punt, now facing a quiet, largely unseen tragedy, worsened by international funding cuts. My first article is out. More to come.

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

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

Am venturing into professional video production with my brand new iPhone 17 pro max. This is really my gadget of the day. An external SSD that pops into your USB-C port and even has its own cooling fan #iphone #videojournalist #SSD

Uganda shuts down Internet days before the presidential elections on January 15th. They say it's to halt inciting messages and maintain public order. Others fear it's repression #UgandaDecides2026 #Uganda #Elections

Here is my updated services pages. Check it out, there is a lot www.videojournalist.nl/services/ Ruud Elmendorp Video Journalist at large #videojournalist #journalist #videoproduction #AI #news #Africa

Kamutei pond and dam to harvest rainwater. Www.africawoodgrow.org

In light of Maduro’s arrest, it’s worth asking: does muscle-flexing really solve problems? History suggests otherwise—especially in Africa that has shown resilience that outpaces American and European powers #AfricaInsights #Geopolitics #Leadership #Resilience #GlobalStrategy #DiplomacyOverForce

The U.S. move on Venezuela isn’t shocking at all — it’s the same playbook Washington has used for decades. From Grenada to Panama, the U.S. has repeatedly enforced its version of “order” in the hemisphere. #USForeignPolicy #Venezuela #Geopolitics #HistoryRepeats #LatinAmerica

Have won an international award! This is so rewarding because it tells that the idea that I had 25 years ago for video journalism is still relevant and innovative having come from analog Betacam SP to 4k iPhone Thanking Corporate Vision for their support www.corporatevision-news.com/winners/vide...

"The United States moves away from repeated and soft resolutions with provisions that do not exist under international law." US delegate during the closing plenary of the UNEA7 conference in Nairobi #UNEA7

volgens Yale is wat nu gebeurt in Sudan ‘de meest nauwkeurig voorspelde massamoord in de menselijke geschiedenis.’ hoe zit dat? wat is de rol van de Emiraten in dit verhaal? en wat hebben Formule 1 en influencers hiermee te maken? nieuwe RADIO BOOS: 🎧: bit.ly/radioboos51 🖥️: bit.ly/radioboos51yt

The Netherlands may be small, but when it comes to global challenges, they show up. Today in De Telegraaf, I report from Nairobi on the Dutch push at UNEA-7 to revive the stalled plastic treaty negotiations. Just like in football, the Dutch are in the game #UNEA7 #environment #climate #plastic

"The Israeli bombardments on water installations in Iran have contributed to a higher C02-emission in our country." Iran delegate in its statement during UNEA7. International conferences are often a platform for statements outside the topic, which is climate #iran #israel #climate #UNEA7 #Nairobi

Delegates of member states getting ready for national statements. Sometimes countries use this opportunity to make political statements not related to the conference in this moment of international attention #UNEA7 #Nairobi #Environment

As geopolitical challenges and tensions escalate globally, one thing is clear: fragmented politics will not fix a fractured planet. And why the UN Environment Assembly is essential to a safer, more resilient planet. I explain more in my #UNEA7 op-ed: www.unep.org/news-and-sto... @unep.org

Across Africa new gas extraction projects bring revenue but also forced evictions, shattered communities, and deadly clashes. It’s a dilemma that European buyers cannot ignore: climate policy is no longer about carbon, it’s about people #AfricaGas #EnergyTransition #ClimateJustice #GreenDilemma