Since gaining independence from Britain in 1956, Sudan has been almost constantly embroiled in some form of civil or internal conflict. There have been two civil wars between North and South Sudan (1955-1972 and 1983-2004). Sudan’s second civil war (1983-2004) does not have an official name, but it is cited as Africa’s longest-running civil war and resulted in an estimated loss of at least 2 million people, with another 4 million uprooted from their homes, 550,000 of whom fled to neighboring countries.(1) The conflict was primarily between rival ethnic and religious groups in the North and South, mostly over what were perceived as inequitable power-sharing arrangements.

 In 2003, a rebellion also broke out in Darfur, in the western part of the country. The violence in Darfur was and is led by two rebel groups calling for an end to the region’s political marginalization and that the large and very poor Darfur region be given greater control over the country’s natural resources and revenue. In seeking to defeat the rebel movements, the Government of Sudan armed and supported local tribal and other militias known as the Janjaweed. Attacks on the civilian population by the Janjaweed, often with the direct support of the Government of Sudan, have led to the deaths of thousands.

Overshadowed by the “newer” Darfur conflict, Sudan’s second civil war has been referred to as a “hidden emergency.” (2) In January 2005, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), meant to end the 21-year civil war and establish an interim framework for a national government, was signed.  Key parties, however, have yet to agree on the various strategies proposed for its implementation. While there is hope that the CPA could have stabilizing effects on the country as a whole, full implementation is considered to be wrought with obstacles due to the country’s current socio-political and economic landscape.