Report: Sudan
Introduction
This report covers the Republic of Sudan (usually referred to simply as “Sudan”), a country in the north east of Africa which is not only the largest African country, but is also – by area – the tenth biggest country worldwide (“About Sudan”, 2011). The report provides information about its history, its geography, its culture and society, and its economic status. The government and national security institutions of Sudan are also included.
According to “Sudan: A Historical Perspective”, (2011), the country was ruled by Muhammad Ahmad (the “Mahdi”) from 1884. Khartoum was still held by the British, until a relief force led by General Gordon fell, along with the city, to the Mahdi’s forces after a siege lasting almost a year. Then in 1898, Anglo-Egyptian forces led by General Kitchener defeated the Sudanese army led by the then ruler Khalifa Abdallah, and the country came under Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1899, subsequently prospering in later years.
Then in 1956, Sudan gained its independence, under a government of the National Unionist Party (NUP). However, just two years afterward, that government was deposed in a military coup, and replaced by a 13-man army junta. Unfortunately, the country was repeatedly troubled by the activities of rebel elements in southern Sudan, culminating in an offensive launched in 1970 against the rebel forces there, ending in a truce being signed in March 1972 (“Sudan: A Historical Perspective”, 2011).
Just four years later, in 1976, an attempted coup – which resulted in destruction of the nation’s Air Force – caused Sudan to sign a peace pact with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In 1983 Islamic Law was introduced in Sudan, coinciding with a time of industrial unrest, and a swelling of the country’s population by the influx of many refugees. The resultant economic problems were compounded by falls in production of sorghum, causing bread shortages throughout the country (“Sudan: A Historical Perspective”, 2011).
Troubles in the south of the country continued to be a serious problem, and a series of changes of government occurred from 1985 to 1996. Since then strife has been a constant factor in Sudan, involving rebel factions – principally the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) (“Sudan: A Historical Perspective”, 2011).
In July 2011 South Sudan became an independent country, though troubles still continue, principally because although South Sudan holds three quarters of the oil reserves of the two countries, the oil pipelines all run into the north. The fear is that disputes over the oil revenues could once again trigger a war (“Sudan: One country or two?” 2012).
Geography of Sudan
Much of Sudan, especially the northern part, is mainly desert, other than the route of the Blue Nile to the south east of Khartoum. In contrast, South Sudan is comprised mainly of vast areas of grassland, plus swamp and forested areas (“Sudan: One country or two?” 2012).
In combination, Sudan and South Sudan cover a total area of almost a million square miles, and Sudan has over 500 miles of Red Sea coastline. Soil erosion and desertification occur in part due to agricultural expansion without due consideration for conservation. Also, various wildlife species are endangered due to unrestricted hunting (“About Sudan”, 2011).
Sudan’s Society and Culture
According to “Society and Culture” (2011), the population of Sudan is divided by differences of religion, language and ethnicity. Although many of the northern population are of Arabic origin, over generations there has been intermingling with other indigenous groups. Arabic is the official language of Sudan, though both Arabic and English are dominant in the south. In the northern parts of the country, Islam is a unifying factor, whereas in the south Christianity and other religions dominate. These cultural conflicts have created mistrust and hostilities that have resulted in ongoing violent clashes. Overall, Sudan’s population comprises almost 500 different ethnic groups, speaking over 400 languages and/or dialects.
Sudan’s Economy
Modern Sudan is “an extremely poor country that has had to deal with social conflict, civil war, and the July 2011 secession of South Sudan”, the source of around three quarters of the oil production of the former Sudan (“Sudan Economy Profile 2013” Feb 2013). Whereas prior to South Sudan’s independence, the country had a booming economy, it has since struggled with far lower oil revenues. The economy now features high inflation (almost 50 percent). Most of the working population works in agriculture at a subsistence level, causing forecasters to predict the majority living below the poverty line for many years.
The Government of Sudan
The government of Sudan (Republic of Sudan) is a federal republic controlled by the National Congress Party (NCP), since 1989. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into a total of 17 states. Its legal system comprises a blend of Islamic and English law. The head of state / head of government is President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (“Sudan Government Profile 2013”, Feb 2013).
South Sudan also has a republican government. The country comprises 10 states, ruled by President Salva KIIR Mayardit who governs through a national Council of Ministers and a two-chamber legislative assembly: the 332-seat National Legislative Assembly and the 50-seat Council of States (“South Sudan Government Profile 2013”, Feb 2013).
Sudan National Security
In Sudan, there is an army but also the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). Disagreements between the two have resulted in violent clashes, contributing to a worsening security situation (“Elite troops deployed in Sudan's second-largest city” July 2013).
In South Sudan, extreme violence against citizens by its security forces is a reported problem for the people and the UN peacekeepers stationed there. There are also armed rebel groups still acting independently of the regime (“World Report 2013: South Sudan – Abuses by Security Forces” n.d.).
Summary
Sudan, a once prosperous country, has become the victim of internal conflicts that have ultimately resulted in it becoming two separate republics, both struggling with economic problems. On the one hand, the predominantly Muslim Sudan (now the northern of the two countries) has raging inflation and with much of its population working in agriculture and living in poverty. With the loss of much of its former oil revenues, the country faces possible years of economic difficulties. The “new” republic, the country of South Sudan, possesses most of the oil reserves but has a major problem that the pipelines – the means of exporting the oil – run north through Sudan. This issue is yet to be resolved, with overseas influence being used to try to resolve matters peacefully.
In both countries there are major concerns regarding the behavior of the security forces, resulting in an unstable security situation.
References:
“About Sudan.” (2011). sudan.net. Retrieved from http://www.sudan.net/about.php
“Elite troops deployed in Sudan's second-largest city.” (July 2013). Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/10/elite-troops-deployed-in-sudan-second-largest-city/
“Society and Culture.” (2011). sudan.net. Retrieved from http://www.sudan.net/society.php
“South Sudan Government Profile 2013.” (Feb 2013). index mundi. Retrieved from http://www.indexmundi.com/south_sudan/government_profile.html
“Sudan: A Historical Perspective.” (2011). sudan.net. Retrieved from http://www.sudan.net/history.php
“Sudan Economy Profile 2013.” (Feb 2013). index mundi. Retrieved from http://www.indexmundi.com/sudan/economy_profile.html
“Sudan Government Profile 2013.” (Feb 2013). index mundi. Retrieved from http://www.indexmundi.com/sudan/government_profile.html
“Sudan: One country or two?” (2012). BBC News Africa. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12115013
“World Report 2013: South Sudan – Abuses by Security Forces.” (n.d.). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/south-sudan?page=2
