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Factors of Secession: the Case of South Sudan

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Factors of Secession: the Case of South Sudan Factors of Secession: The Case of South Sudan A Thesis Submitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts In the Department of Political Studies University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon By Dalal Mohamed Daoud © Copyright Dalal Mohamed Daoud, April 2012. All rights reserved. Abstract Sudan has been politically unstable for most of its post independence period as it suffered Africa’s longest civil war. The country was ‘made in error’ because its borders attempted to amalgamate alienated groups of nations with little if anything in common. The South did not identify with the Arab led Sudanese society. It had fought for an autonomous model of governance since Sudan’s birth in 1956. Among the Southerners there were the advocates for outright secession and advocates for a united Sudan with a decentralized model of governance. After two short federal experiments, the first during the period 1972-1981 initiated by The Addis Ababa Agreement, and the second 2005- 2011 initiated by The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the South opted for secession. In 2011, the South overwhelmingly voted for secession and formed Africa’s newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan. The contention of this thesis is that the South’s achievement of secession is a result of multiple factors. The impact of the centre’s policies, the weakness of the democratic governments, the failure of the peace processes, the existence of historical grievances, and the role of international actors constitute these factors. After providing some of the theoretical literature on secessionist movements, the thesis will focus on the case of Sudan. Through data analysis of primary and secondary sources and field research interviews the paper will provide the rationale of the thesis. i Acknowledgements I would like to forward my most profound gratitude to all those who made this thesis possible. First, I would like to thank my supervisor, professor Jeffrey Steeves, for his guidance, encouragement and trust. I will be indebted to professor Steeves for the rest of my academic journey. I would also like to thank my Thesis Advisory Committee for their feedback. Special gratitude goes to Professor Kalowatie Deonandan who truly stands as a role model. A thanks also goes to Professor Ron Wheeler for his constant encouragement. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who assisted me with my field research in Khartoum, Sudan. They include my beloved father, Mohamed Daoud, and mother, Raja Salih. This is in addition to Kawther Daoud, Hossam Khalifa, Dr. Ali Gargandi, and many more. All the people listed and many more have made this thesis possible. But I alone bear the responsibility of any shortcomings in it. ii "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.” [Al Hujurat: 13 - The Quran] iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................. I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................II LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................................... V INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................................................2 ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK......................................................................................................................................3 Sudan, its Secessionist South and Secessionist Theories......................................................................8 METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................................................... 10 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS ................................................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER ONE: SUDAN - A BACKGROUND OVERVIEW ............................................................13 GEOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................................................. 15 ETHNIC COMPOSITION .......................................................................................................................................... 18 HISTORY: COLONIZATION AND INDEPENDENCE............................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER TWO: ....................................................................................................................................28 THE FIRST AND SECOND SUDANESE CIVIL WARS.....................................................................28 THE FIRST CIVIL WAR........................................................................................................................................... 30 THE SECOND CIVIL WAR ...................................................................................................................................... 36 LEADING TO THE CPA ........................................................................................................................................... 39 THE COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT ...................................................................................................... 44 Cultural Understanding ..................................................................................................................................46 Power Sharing.....................................................................................................................................................47 Wealth Sharing...................................................................................................................................................48 THE SECESSION....................................................................................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER THREE: ................................................................................................................................52 ANALYSIS- FACTORS LEADING TO SECESSION...........................................................................52 1. NORTHERN ARABS’ POLICIES.......................................................................................................................... 53 a) Regional Discrimination ...........................................................................................................................54 B) AraBization .....................................................................................................................................................57 2. THE WEAKNESS OF SUDAN’S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS .................................................................... 61 3. FAILURE OF THE PEACE PROCESSES .............................................................................................................. 66 4. HISTORICAL GRIEVANCES ................................................................................................................................ 71 5. INTERNATIONAL FACTORS............................................................................................................................... 72 CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................................................80 INTERNAL UNREST................................................................................................................................................. 84 POLITICAL REFORM: DECENTRALIZATION AND DEMOCRACY ....................................................................... 86 BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................................87 APPENDIX...............................................................................................................................................91 iv List of Abbreviations South: SANU - Sudan African National Union SPLA/M - Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement North: DUP - Democratic Unionist Party NCP - National Congress Party SAF - Sudan Armed Forces NIF - National Islamic Front IGAD - Intergovernmental Authority of Development CPA - Comprehensive Peace Agreement INC - Interim National Constitution GNU - Government of National Unit v Introduction There are many reasons Sudan is a compelling country to study. Sudan, until recently, was Africa’s and the Arab world’s largest country. It is also the cradle of the worlds’ longest river, the Nile, and the Sudanese government exerts authority over the river’s tributaries, the Blue and White Niles. Additionally, the country is endowed with astonishing resources ranging from fertile land to minerals and oil. Sudan’s oil reserves were estimated to be among the richest in the continent and its potential agricultural products are considered enough to eradicate hunger in all of Africa. Sudan’s location makes it an intriguing country. Located in northeast Africa, the country is where the Islamic-Arab
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