Sudan and South Sudan

Civil Wars

The Republic of Sudan has seen recurring Civil Wars since they gained independence in 1956. A policy change, in 1947, to unify them meant that when the country was granted independence in 1956, Sudan was left with a heavily unified and centralized state, ruled from the north. The south, which already had social and political grievances, feared it would be dominated by the Arabic and Islamist North. Promises to create a federal system were soon broken.

Helping Darfur

The Sudanese government appears unwilling to address the human rights crisis in the region and has not taken the necessary steps to restrict the activities of the Janjaweed.

Since the Split- Sudan

The US has a trade embargo with Sudan to help them get what the need. As of 2015, over 3 million civilians are internally displaced and over half a million live in refugee camps in the region. According to the UN, 6.9 million people are in need of civilian assistance in Sudan.

Since the Split

2012, brought fighting over the contested border region, and the sharing of oil revenues. The South said the North's actions amount to a declaration of war. In September that year the respective presidents shook hands, and reached an agreement on trade, oil and security after days of talks in Ethiopia.

Since the Split- South Sudan

An estimated 1.5 million people were forced to flee their homes; 100,000 people still shelter in United Nations compounds, too afraid to return home. Three years after South Sudan's independence famine looms on the horizon, and the conflict continues, despite peace negotiations in Ethiopia.

South Sudan

Capital: Juba Religion: Christianity and Islam Language: English Population: 12,635,000 Independent Country on July 9, 2011 President: Salva Kiir Mayardit

Sudan

Capital: Khartoum Religion: Islam Language: Arabic Largest Country in Africa Population: 41,000,000 President: Omar al-Bashir

Darfur

Darfur is a region in Sudan the size of France. Located in the western side of Sudan. It is home to about 6 million people from nearly 100 tribes. Some nomads others are farmers. Almost all are Muslims.

Darfur Today

Darfuris today continue to suffer and the problems facing Sudan cannot be resolved until peace is secured in Darfur. According to UN estimates, 2.7 million Darfuris remain in displaced persons camps and over 4.7 million Darfuris rely on humanitarian aid. Resolving the Darfur conflict is critical not just for the people of Darfur, but also for the future of Sudan and the stability of the entire region.

Since the Split- South Sudan

Horrific attacks on civilians began within 24 hours of the start of South Sudan's new war in mid-December 2013. Thousands of civilians have been killed and large parts of key towns, including civilian infrastructure such as clinics, hospitals, and schools, have been looted, destroyed, and abandoned.

Civil Wars

In 1955, tensions flared up and led to the outbreak of the first Sudanese civil war. The conflict, which featured successive coups and regime changes, ended with the 1972 Addis Abeba agreement and another promise of political autonomy for the South. Disputes over the discovery of oil in the south in 1979, together with President Nimeiry's decision to implement Islamic Sharia law for the whole of Sudan and end southern autonomy, led to a new surge in civil violence in 1983.

Civil Wars

In 1988, hunger hit Sudan. As food became a weapon in the conflict, the drought led to an estimated 250,000 deaths. In total, around two million people died, and another four million were displaced. A 1989 coup led to Omar al-Bashir assuming the presidency. Under his rule, repression increased while the situation in the south and other peripheries severely deteriorated.

Starting Conflict

In 1989, General Omar Bashir took control of Sudan by military coup, which then allowed The National Islamic Front government to inflame regional tensions. In a struggle for political control of the area, weapons poured into Darfur. Conflicts increased between African farmers and many nomadic Arab tribes.

Starting Conflict

In 2003, two Darfur rebel movements- the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)- took up arms against the Sudanese government, complaining about the marginalization of the area and the failure to protect sedentary people from attacks by nomads.

Helping Darfur

In June 2005, the International Criminal Court (ICC) took the first step in ending the exemption of punishment in Darfur by launching investigations into human rights violations in Darfur. However, the government of Sudan refused to cooperate with the investigations.

Darfur Genocide

In the ongoing genocide, African farmers and others in Darfur are being systematically displaced and murdered at the hands of the Janjaweed. The genocide in Darfur has claimed 400,000 lives and displaced over 2.5 million people. More than one hundred people continue to die each day; five thousand die every month. The Sudanese government disputes these estimates and denies any connection with the Janjaweed.

Helping Darfur

On March 4, 2009 Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, became the first sitting president to be indicted by ICC for directing a campaign of mass killing, rape, and pillage against civilians in Darfur.

Starting Conflict

The government of Sudan responded by unleashing Arab militias known as Janjaweed, or "devils on horseback". Sudanese forces and Janjaweed militia attacked hundreds of villages throughout Darfur. Over 400 villages were completely destroyed and millions of civilians were forced to flee their homes.

Location

They are located in Northeastern Africa and are landlocked.

Since the Split

They have gone further, agreeing to resume pumping oil, and to withdraw troops from their border area.

South Sudan Independence

Things changed in the early 2000s when international pressure, based on the 1997 US sanctions regime - influenced by the notion that Sudan was supporting terrorist organizations and destabilishing the region. This led to a north-south peace process. After extensive peace talks, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed by the SPLM/A and Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) in 2005. This ended the civil war and allowed for a referendum and eventual South Sudanese independence in 2011.