Sudan Is the Largest Country in Africa with 41 Million People

Sudan background

 Sudan is the largest country in Africa with 41 million people.

 There are 20 ethnic groups, comprised of over 600 subgroups.

o 52% Black African, 39% Arab

o Sunni Muslim 70%, Christian and other religions 30%

 1956- Sudan gained independence from imperialist power Great Britain. British policies had favored the Arab North and divided the government. Darfur background  1958- A coup toppled the government and civil war broke out.  Darfur is made up of Sudan’s three most western states.

 1972- The South gained the right to self-govern.  6.5 million people, mostly Muslim, live in Darfur. There are over 20 ethnic groups, divided along African and Arab lines.  1978- Oil is discovered and this discovery led to further tensions between the North and South.  In 2003, a rebellion broke out against the government of Sudan (Al-Bashir’s government). Two rebel groups, the  1983- Sharia law is mandated and civil war broke out again. Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice & Equality Movement (JEM) demanded more political representation  1989- Another coup toppled the government and Omar Al- from Al-Bashir’s government. Bashir seized power. He is still president today. The war got worse.  The government responded by arming and supporting the Arab militia (known as the Janjaweed) and it began attacking civilians from the Fur, Maasalit, and Zaghawa ethnic groups.

 The Janjaweed have engaged in mass rape and the branding of women with hot irons to permanently mark them.  Close to three million people have fled their homes and now live in refugee camps in Darfur and across the border in Chad.

 Although there have been some 7,000 African Union (AU) troops in Darfur since 2004, they have not been able to protect civilians.

 Over 400,000 people have been killed in Darfur, mostly women and children.