The Crisis in Sudan 9/2005

Key Lecture Points:

• Since its independence in 1956, the clash between Northern Sudan (Arab Muslim dominated and Southern Sudan (Black African Christians and animist) has dominated the political landscape. The most recent civil war ran from 1983 until 2004, killing an estimated 2 million people. In 2004 the US helped broker a peace agreement, hinging upon a power sharing agreement signed by North Sudanese leader Bashir and the South Sudanese rebel leader John Garang. The future of that agreement has been cast into doubt by the accidental death of John Garang in August 2005 in a helicopter accident.

• Since 2003, Northern Sudan has also been in conflict with people in the Western region, Darfur. The two year conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 180,000 Western Sudanese and created over 2 million refugees. Although a fragile cease fire has been in place, it appears to be crumbling as Arab janjaweed militias continue to attack Black African farmers in the Darfur region With the crisis deepening, some (including former US Secretary of State Colin Powell) accusing the Northern Sudanese of genocide, the world is wondering how to relieve the suffering within Darfur.

• Sudan is the largest country (in area) in Africa 987,500 sq. mi. (approx. Texas, Alaska & Montana combined), it is the crossroads between Arab North Africa and Black Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Population: 34 million (approx. population of California): 50% Arab Sunni Muslim, 25% Black African Sunni Muslim, 20% Black African Animist (mostly in Southern Sudan), 5% Black African Christian (mostly in Southern Sudan as well).

• The history of Sudan is one where the North and South have been separate; only since the 20th century and the entry of the British control over the strategically important region have the Northern Sudanese and Southern Sudanese been placed together in a single geographic entity.

For More Information:
• Library of Congress History of Sudan: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html
• BBC News coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/africa/2004/sudan/default.stm
• CIA World Factbook on Sudan: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/su.html

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