Leading Sudanese political cartoonist Osman Obaid is the ICORN resident in Haugesund
In November 2024, leading Sudanese political cartoonist Osman Obaid began a two-year ICORN residency in Haugesund, Norway. He continues his work as a cartoonist, engaging both old and new audiences and raising awareness of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Obaid has taken part in several public events during Mangfoldsfest 2025 and publishes cartoons in the Haugesund Public Library's monthly issue.
Osman Obaid is a leading political cartoonist from Sudan whose work has been widely published by many Sudanese publications. He has been openly critical of the authorities in Sudan and other groups allied to former president Omar al-Bashir, the interim authority after the fall of his regime, and the October 2021 coup. Obaid holds a bachelor's degree in economics and rural development from the University of Gezira.
Since 2008, Obaid has worked as a cartoonist and editor for Al Balad newspaper (2010), Assyaha newspaper (2014-2015), and Al Jareeda newspaper (2010-). In 2020, Worked as a freelance cartoonist with AlAraby AlJadeed newspaper 2021-2023. Obaid published a collection named ‘The Age of Saviourism’, covering over 10 years of his career. The collection comprises 230 cartoons, some of which were banned under the al-Bahir regime.
Obaid’s cartoons are also featured in several online platforms, such as Cartoon Movement and Journalists for Justice. His work has been exhibited as part of the 2020 World Press Freedom Conference, the Exhibition of Equal Rights and Gender Equality in Drøbak, Norway and the 2020 Olense Kartoenale in Belgium.
As well as his work as a cartoonist, Obaid has also engaged in public debate on the reality of cartoon art in Sudan, calling for more recognition and solidarity between. He has protested the insufficient financial remuneration preventing cartoonists from working independently. Throughout his career, Obaid has faced threats, harassment, and restrictions for his political cartoons, which have often been banned.
Haugesund ICORN City of Refuge
Haugesund has been an ICORN City of Refuge since 2010.
It has hosted five ICORN residents, including Russian film director Andrei Nekrasov, journalist Sahar Bayati from Iran, Evan Hikmat, an illustrator, artist, journalist, and human rights activist from Iraq, and Osman Obaid.
