SUDAN: Genocide & Civil War

Sudan… More than 1/4 the size of the US – largest African nation More than 1/4 the size of the US – largest African nation Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Population - 40 million Population - 40 million Ethnicity - Black 52%, Arab 39% Ethnicity - Black 52%, Arab 39% Religion – 60% Muslim, 25% Animist, 15% Christian Religion – 60% Muslim, 25% Animist, 15% Christian

Background… Achieved independence from UK and Egypt in Achieved independence from UK and Egypt in Gov. mostly made up military regimes favoring Islamic oriented policies. Gov. mostly made up military regimes favoring Islamic oriented policies. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the remainder of the 20th century. Capital - Khartoum Capital - Khartoum

Civil War Conflict is rooted in Arab and Muslim northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. Conflict is rooted in Arab and Muslim northern economic, political, and social domination of largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. Lots of oil in the south, more fertile Lots of oil in the south, more fertile North vs. South North vs. South Arab vs. Non Arab Arab vs. Non Arab Muslims vs. Christians Muslims vs. Christians

Civil War Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement/Army – main insurgent force Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement/Army – main insurgent force Accused gov’t of keeping revenues from oil for Arabs only Accused gov’t of keeping revenues from oil for Arabs only Peace talks in 2003 produced agreement to share revenues between gov’t & southern rebel groups Peace talks in 2003 produced agreement to share revenues between gov’t & southern rebel groups

Civil War Jan – civil war of nearly 20 years came to an end (longest-running in Africa) Jan – civil war of nearly 20 years came to an end (longest-running in Africa) Peace agreement signed between SPLM and the gov’t Peace agreement signed between SPLM and the gov’t 2 million died and 4 million southerners displaced 2 million died and 4 million southerners displaced

Omar Al-Bashir President of Sudan President of Sudan His policy of “Islamization” of the Sudan and implementation of Sharia Law has enraged and fueled the already ongoing civil war in the Sudan. His policy of “Islamization” of the Sudan and implementation of Sharia Law has enraged and fueled the already ongoing civil war in the Sudan. Ranked world’s worst dictator Ranked world’s worst dictator

Omar Al-Bashir

Genocide In 2003, rebel groups (SLA -Sudan Liberation Army & JEM - Justice and Equality Movement) staged an armed rebellion in Darfur – the western region of Sudan & largest region. In 2003, rebel groups (SLA -Sudan Liberation Army & JEM - Justice and Equality Movement) staged an armed rebellion in Darfur – the western region of Sudan & largest region.

Genocide Rebels- black African ethnic groups Rebels- black African ethnic groups Accused the Arab government of neglecting the region’s development Accused the Arab government of neglecting the region’s development Desertification also contributed to hostilities Desertification also contributed to hostilities Rebels attacked and killed Arab gov. leaders. Rebels attacked and killed Arab gov. leaders.

“Janjaweed” The government retaliated by arming Arab “Janjaweed” (loosely translated as “evil men on horseback”) militias. The government retaliated by arming Arab “Janjaweed” (loosely translated as “evil men on horseback”) militias. Janjaweed was ordered to annihilate the civilians of African, non-Arab tribes, which were thought to be supporting the rebellion. Janjaweed was ordered to annihilate the civilians of African, non-Arab tribes, which were thought to be supporting the rebellion.

The bodies of the dead have been: "tossed into the bottoms of wells, dumped into mass graves, interred in sandy cemeteries and crudely cremated. Children have been snatched from the arms of their mothers and thrown into fires, villagers dragged on the ground behind horses and camels by ropes strung around their necks"(Lacey).

Genocide There has been little international action toward the crisis in Sudan due to the question of whether or not the government and Arab- Muslim “Janjaweed” militias have actually committed “genocide.” There has been little international action toward the crisis in Sudan due to the question of whether or not the government and Arab- Muslim “Janjaweed” militias have actually committed “genocide.” Is this genocide? Is this genocide?

UN definition of Genocide (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Genocide in Bosnia In mid 1990s a similar situation took place in Bosnia in which Muslims were being killed by Christians, and this was labeled genocide by the West In mid 1990s a similar situation took place in Bosnia in which Muslims were being killed by Christians, and this was labeled genocide by the West Why the difference in reaction? Why the difference in reaction?

More Recently… As many as 2.7 million civilians of Darfur have been displaced and 200, ,000 deaths have resulted from the crisis. As many as 2.7 million civilians of Darfur have been displaced and 200, ,000 deaths have resulted from the crisis. A ceasefire agreement was signed between the rebels and government in April A ceasefire agreement was signed between the rebels and government in April – ICC issued arrest warrant for al-Bashir (3 counts of genocide) 2008 – ICC issued arrest warrant for al-Bashir (3 counts of genocide)

More Recently… Violence continues despite the ceasefire Violence continues despite the ceasefire Janjaweed continues to target blacks Janjaweed continues to target blacks Refugees & internally displaced people need water, food, healthcare & shelter Refugees & internally displaced people need water, food, healthcare & shelter Many have not reached safety of camps & are wandering the desert Many have not reached safety of camps & are wandering the desert

As a consequence of the unwillingness of world leaders to interfere, they and their respective nations are partially responsible for the continuation of the conflict. As a consequence of the unwillingness of world leaders to interfere, they and their respective nations are partially responsible for the continuation of the conflict. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

South Sudan

Referendum held January 2011 to secede Referendum held January 2011 to secede 98% voted yes – independence on July 9, % voted yes – independence on July 9, 2011 Mostly animist, few Christian Mostly animist, few Christian Capital is Juba Capital is Juba Most people are impoverished Most people are impoverished

South Sudan Subsistence Agriculture – White Nile valley extremely fertile Subsistence Agriculture – White Nile valley extremely fertile Depends largely on import of goods from Sudan Depends largely on import of goods from Sudan 98% of revenues from oil but refineries and pipeline in Sudan 98% of revenues from oil but refineries and pipeline in Sudan Khartoum has imposed blockades on foreign aid and goods Khartoum has imposed blockades on foreign aid and goods

Border issues continue w/Sudan