Geography
Sudan is the largest country in Africa –The Sahara desert cuts across Sudan, so Sudan bridges two worlds: Northern African Arab and Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, before Sudan was Sudan, there were many different kingdoms and tribes –some African in root and
some Arab. The British and Egyptian conquered the region and drew the borders of what we know as Sudan.
Even before Sudan gained its independence from Britain, Arab-descended North Sudan and African-descended South Sudan
were at war. The North-South Civil War is among the longest
in Africa which lasted for about 40 years. Those years led to the
deaths of 2 million Sudanese and the displacement of 4 million
more. The conflict was brought to a close with the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.
Bridging the two worlds is Sudan’s western state of Darfur.
Darfur is a diverse mix of ethnic groups:
Darfur is also the poorest state in Sudan. It has been neglected, abused and underdeveloped. As a result, all tribes, Arab and African alike, suffered greatly from this.
some Arab. The British and Egyptian conquered the region and drew the borders of what we know as Sudan.
Even before Sudan gained its independence from Britain, Arab-descended North Sudan and African-descended South Sudan
were at war. The North-South Civil War is among the longest
in Africa which lasted for about 40 years. Those years led to the
deaths of 2 million Sudanese and the displacement of 4 million
more. The conflict was brought to a close with the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.
Bridging the two worlds is Sudan’s western state of Darfur.
Darfur is a diverse mix of ethnic groups:
- African kingdoms (the Fur, Zaghawa, Massalit)
- Arab nomads (the Rizeigat, the Misseriya)
Darfur is also the poorest state in Sudan. It has been neglected, abused and underdeveloped. As a result, all tribes, Arab and African alike, suffered greatly from this.