SUDAN CONFLICT

Past and Present By Nicole Tilson

Over 2 million people lost their lives in the war

2.5 million have been displaced(BBC, 2008)

1983-2005 Civil war ravages Sudan

In 1989, Omar al-Bashir and the Islamic Front came into power by coup exacerbating regional tensions throughout the country.

Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan 1989-present

Militia rounding up the rebels

Genocide in Darfur

The Janjaweed, a pro-government Arab militia rides through Darfur and South Sudan attacking villages, raping women, murdering anyone who does not run away fast enough

Timeline of Major Events 1820 - Turco-Egyptians conquer Sudan, heavily exploiting the south.

1899 - Sudan colonized by Anglo-Egyptians under Condominium Agreement

1955 - Civil war erupts in response to a Southern revolt.

1956 - British decolonize, power given to Arab elites.

1972 - Addis Ababa peace agreement signed. South Sudan gains some political bearing.

1978 - Oil discovered in South Sudan. Question of how to divide revenues between North

and South heats up conflict.

1983 - Islamic Shari’a law introduced by President Numieri. Both Christians and

Muslims protest, and civil war erupts. SPLM led by John Garang.

1989 - Omar al-Bashir and Islamic Front stage coup, and claim dictatorship.

1995 - UN sanctions applied to Sudan.

1998 - US missile attacks in response to suspected terrorist activities in Khartoum.

2001 - UN sanctions lifted to help restore peace.

Jan 2002 - Ceasefire

Jul 2002 - Government attacks SPLA, breaking ceasefire.

Oct 2002 - Ceasefire resumed.

2003 - Oil revenue sharing negotiations underway

Jan 2004 - Uprising in Darfur, government responds violently.

Mar 2004 - Genocide killings taking place in villages throughout Darfur.

May 2004 - Peace agreement signed, Darfur unaffected.

2005 - UN sends 10,000 troops into Southern Sudan, Darfur unaffected.

2005 - 2007 violence and killings continue(Crawfurd, 2008)(Wai, 1981)

In the IDP Camps

Medical facilities have been destroyed due to the violence. Schools are in disrepair and poorly equipped. Security in the IDP camps remains unstable, but the number of IDPs continues to grow.

This UNICEF IDP camp has helped the residents to obtain safe drinking water(UNICEF, 2006).

Kalma IDP Camp in South Darfur

International Rescue Committee

“The IRC trains health workers and educates local communities to assure that mothers living in and around camps for families displaced by the Darfur crisis have access to good quality medical care”(IRC, 2004)

Educational Needs

“Of the 2.5 million displaced people in Darfur, 30% are school age children. Without the prospect of education, these children will remain forever stuck in their daily struggles”(Miraya, 2008)

Educational Services

UNICEF and Save the Children focus on education for girls.

They also provide education for boys.

The Lost Girls of Sudan

“[Aluel] recounts quietly how she lived with an elderly guardian when she first arrived in Kakuma. One night a man crept into her hut and raped her. As a single mother, Aluel is now reviled by the Sudanese community, living as an outcast, terrified of being attacked again”(Matheson, 2002).

The Lost Girls of Sudan

“Aluel’s case is not isolated. The findings of a recent study suggest the camp is not a safe place for young orphaned girls. Sexual abuse, forced marriages and beatings are common”(Matheson, 2002).

“Lost girls can be traced and helped if international agencies like the UNHCR are determined to do so”(Sudanese Women’s Association).

Hope for the Lost Girls

37 lost girls have made it to Boulder, Colorado. Micklina Pia Peter, the first lost girl to come to Boulder graduated this year and has begun a non-profit to help the Lost girls of Sudan get an education(DeLuca, 2008).

References Crawfurd, J. (1996-2008) Sudan Timeline, The Crawfurd Homepage

http://crawfurd.dk/africa/sudan_timeline.htm

DeLuca, L. (2008) Lost Girls of Sudan, The Women’s Media Center

Retrieved November 15, 2008 from http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/021508.html

Miraya, F.M., (2008) IDP Camps in Darfur, ReliefWeb,

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MUMA-7J484P?OpenDocument

(no author), (2006), Sudan, UNICEF,

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sudan_darfuroverview.html

(no author), (2008), Africa Wednesday, November 12, 2008, Africa Today. BBC Radio

Retrieved November 14th, 2008 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/africa/

(no author), (2008), Relief in West Darfur State, Save the Children.

Retrieved on November 15th, 2008 from

http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/africa/sudan/darfur

(no author), (2006), Sudanese President Renews Rejection of UN Forces in Darfur, SudanTribune.

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17098

(no author), (2006), Faces of Sudan-The Big Picture, (Image) FFFFound!

http://ffffound.com/image/35d1ce715bab445e13bf474202c6e4dbc520a581

(no author), (2004). Alarming Health Crisis Hits Sudanese Refugees in Chad, International Rescue Committee,

http://www.theirc.org/news/alarming_health_crisis_hits_sudanese_refugees_in_chad.html

(no author), (2008) Yom Kippur: A Sudanese Refugee Story, Congegation Bonai Shalom. Retrieved November 15, 2008 from http://www.bonaishalom.org/index.php?id=70