Genocide in Sudan Essay -- Africa Political History

Since gaining its independence in 1956 from the United Kingdom and Egypt, Sudan has been a country stricken with violence. This violence continues on even today in the form of genocide. The genocide committed in this country has horrified the international community for the last 15 years. According to the Washington Post, over 450,000 Sudanese have died as a result of fighting, famine, or disease since 2003 alone. There are several factors that contribute to the all out violence between the Sudanese people. The first factor is the multicultural make up of the Sudan. Sudan is a country with hundreds of tribes that do not see themselves in a nationalistic light. This is a major cause of the internal fight of Sudan. The second is China’s influence over Sudan. China is currently the largest importer of Sudan’s natural resources, and has supplied North Sudan with arms and finances. China has also ignored most of the UN sanctions placed against Sudan. The third is Sudan’s neighboring countries. Most of these countries have experienced some sort of turmoil themselves over the last 20 years, and contribute to a good portion of displaced persons found in Sudan. Unless the Sudanese can address these factors, violence will continue in the Sudan. Firstly, one must consider the multicultural composition of Sudan. Being the largest country in Africa, Sedan has approximately 600 tribes within their borders. Tribes in the North are considered Arab tribes, and tribes in the South are considered African or non-Arab. Many of these tribes have unique cultures of their own. Take South Sudan for example, according to Peter Gatluak of the Sudan Vision Daily, â€Å"They do not see themselves as South Sudanese... ...nter for Transitional Justice , 1. Deeb, S. E. (2011). North Sudan faces its likely truncated future. Associate Press , 1. Gatluak, P. C. (2011). Focus on the South. Sudan Vision Daily , 1. noted, N. a. (2008, Feb 22). China defends arms sales to Sudan. BBC News , p. 1. Noted, N. A. (2007, May 9). Darfour watch: China, Russia still supplying weapons used in attacks. The World Tribune , p. 1. Noted, N. A. (2011, Jan 15). South Sudan referendum wraps up. Bloomberg News , p. 1. Noted, N. (2010, Decmber 1). South Sudan’s secession will rid the country from 3 "lousy neighbors": official. Sudan Tribune , p. 1. Solomon, L. (2010, Dec 09). Lawrence Solomon: To Islam’s dismay, a new oil nation is born. Financial Post , p. 1. State, U. D. (2010). Travel Warning, Chad. US Department of State. Walker, R. (2010, Nov 20). Hello country number 193. The Economist , p. 1.