Sudan's History

Every country has had its problems and this had influence the current state that the country is in. Sudan has had conflicts in past years due to fights for independence and disagreement between the two major groups of people-Arab Muslims and Black Africans. A brief history of Sudan will now be presented.

                Sudan was controlled by Egypt and the United Kingdom. The Southern part of Sudan was not ever very united with the rest of Sudan. In 1953, the UK and Egypt decided to let Sudan become independent. In January 1, 1956, Sudan achieved complete independence and had a provisional constitution. This provisional constitution favored the Arabians. Arabians promised the south part of Sudan that a federal system would be created, but they didn't fulfill their promise. The southerners formed a rebellion that led to 17 years of civil war. This civil war began in 1955 and ended in 1972. Differences in culture and religion (Northerners are Muslim and the southerners have indigenous cultural beliefs) have created this fights within the country and no progress in the economy or government. Sudan shelters refugees that flee from other countries and this too was affected by the civil wars. One of the first leaders after Sudan's independence was General Ibrahim Abboud. He tried to strengthen Sudan by forcing people to follow an Arabization and Islamicization policy. He was later overthrown and a civilian caretaker government assumed control. Southern Sudan was divided between the ones that wanted a strict well-formed government and the ones that said they could rule themselves. They were allowed to vote whether they wanted to be independent or not.

The country was controlled by Arab Muslims. They didn't want independence for the southern part. Later in 1969, Colonel Gaafar Muhammad Nimeiri came and took over. He changed Islamism for socialism and he did try to give independence to the southern part. For this, he didn't have any support from Muslims. So, he tried to sign peace treaties with Sudan's neighbors. Since this didn't work out and he planned, he tried to gain the support of the Muslims. The traditional punishments of the Islamic Law would now be used in Sudan, but even Muslim groups didn't agree. Nimeiri was overthrown and so was the other man that came to power after him. In 1989, an Islamic army led by General Umar al-Bashir mounted a coup and installed the National Islamic Front. The new government’s commitment to the Islamic cause intensified the North-South conflict. This group didn't want any independence for the south. Bashir's army caused problems to Sudan. The UN didn't want to help Sudan because of things like the attempt of President Mubarack's death that Bashir had been related to. During this time, a second civil war had started.

       During the 1990s, Sudanese groups continue to separate even more. This caused many groups(Muslim and Non-Musilm) to become sympathetic with the southern rebels led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Neighboring countries also supported this group. In 2005, with the help of neighboring countries, Sudan was able to present a peace treaty called "Peace from Within" to the government. This treaty decreased conflict between the north and the south. Millions died in this civil war. Today, the president is Omar al-Bashir. His opinion is that South Sudan won't be stable after they acquire independence. Still, Southern Sudan is still fighting for it. On January of this year (2011), the people of the South were allowed to vote if they wanted independence or not, but late in the afternoon the voting polls were closed because of an attack done by rebels. Violence levels have increased and deaths have been reported, but Southern Sudan is prepared to become independent in July 2011. They only want peace and equality.
  
               
            As you may know, history affects the present. This constant violence and discrimination is what influences the current state of Sudan. Like other countries, because of the troubled past human rights are forgotten. On my next blog, I’ll be explaining some human rights issues occurring in Sudan.

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