Sudan has, unofficially, been at war with itself since the late 1950s. The British colonists created Sudan upon their departure of Africa, leaving behind invisible lines that would generate inner turmoil leading to decades of war and genocide.
One of the greatest conflicts in Sudan began in 2003, when Darfurian rebel groups openly attacked government military bases in retaliation to the marginalization of Darfur and its people. The government, lead currently by president Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, has equipped militias to eliminate the rebels; first sending in heavily armed helicopters and men with automatic weapons. The Janjaweed, known by the people as the “devils on horseback,” are sent in to finish off the any remaining survivors.
According to official reports, over 400 villages have been destroyed; more then 300,000 people have died between 2003 and 2005 alone, and near 4 million people have been displaced from their homes. Former US President George W. Bush declared the events in Darfur to be genocide in 2004.
Hope is on the horizon though. A 2005 peace agreement has set in motion a major chain of events, leading to a vote on a referendum held January 9, 2011. According to officials, more than 98% of the 3.8 million registered voters in the south of Sudan voted to split away, forming the newest country, The Republic of South Sudan. This has lead to a cool down in the fighting between northern and southern Sudan.
But the resentment by the south for decades of marginalization continues to fuel their want for a separate country. Official recognition of The Republic of South Sudan is set for July 9, 2011.
Conflicts will still remain, the foremost being the mass amount of oil in southern Sudan. Southern Sudan holds approximately 75% of the country’s crude oil. Northern Sudan is predominately wealthier Muslims with a strong infrastructure including: shopping malls, schools, and lavish hotels. Southern Sudan is so poverty stricken it has no schools or substantially permanent buildings. The people themselves are Christians with largely nomadic traits.
The International Criminal Court has charged President Bashir with five counts of crimes against humanity as well. Bashir had declared that he would not run again once his term has come to an end. Officials see this as a political maneuver to avoid violent revolt, sponsored by people that would be inspired by the current events in the Middle East.
Student Body President Bryan Funk had his skepticism about President Bashir’s sincerity. “I’m not sure if I buy it. For nearly 20 years, he has been generating war with South Sudan.” Funk, a long time activist for human rights in Africa, believes that oil is the underling reason for President Bashir’s amicability. Funk added, “He would lose billions in oil if he acted against the south now.”
Advisors also see the importance of learning from their northern neighbor, Egypt. Bashir could easily fall to the same revolts that have overthrown former President Hosni Mubarak. Edith Kuzma, a sophomore at Plymouth State University said, “I don’t think that it will get as bad as Egypt. It could get worse there, but I’m sure it will come back to a good equilibrium,” when asked about the future split of Sudan.
The coming months for Sudan are expected to be peaceful. But skepticism remains on all levels. Funk stated the need for peace and understanding with these events, “We need to stop identifying ourselves as nations with borders… we need to see ourselves as fellow human beings.”