Legacy

Threats to civilian populations throughout Sudan continue today. For recent updates, see the Current Situation.

A continuing crisis: trauma and displacement in Darfur
Large segments of the Darfurian population are traumatized by the experience of losing family members, homes, communities, and livelihoods. Those who survived attacks, particularly women who were raped, suffer long-term physical and emotional effects of the violence. And the violence in Darfur continues.

In Darfur, the pattern of violence shifted after 2005 when millions of Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit civilians were displaced by large-scale government and Janjaweed offensives. New groups have settled in lands cleared of their former populations. Many of the more than 2 million displaced now live in enormous refugee camp "cities," where they face harassment and abuse by government authorities.

The crisis in Darfur impacted not only the groups initially targeted, but additional groups inside Darfur and neighboring Chad. Inside Darfur, patterns of violence reflect political, tribal, economic, and criminal interests. Civilians continue to be displaced and suffer attacks that often take the form of robbery, rape, and murder. And beginning in 2004, rebel groups launched a series of attacks against their government. Chad and Sudan traded accusations of supporting rebel forces in each other's countries.

Inside Darfur, violence continues with a wider array of perpetrators.

Many of Darfur's Arab tribes tried to remain neutral during the early years of the conflict. They were neither targeted by nor did they join the government and Janjaweed, but as the conflict continued, some became victims of generalized violence and were displaced. The armed rebel movements have also splintered several times and committed acts of violence against civilians.

Changing the borders: the new country of South Sudan
The war between the north and south officially ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. After an interim during which unity was supposed to have been made attractive to southerners, the south was guaranteed the right to vote in a referendum on independence. This vote was carried out in January 2011 resulting in a resounding endorsement for separating from Sudan. On July 9, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan declared its independence.

Despite this momentous change, the fates of both countries remained tied together. They share not only a history, but also interests in a number of cross-border issues, including trade, migration, and resource development (such as oil). The two countries must find a way to respect each other’s sovereignty and peacefully negotiate their relations. Because of the long history of violence and fears of ongoing interference, southerners greatly distrust their northern neighbors.

In addition to conflict in Darfur, there are many disaffected groups in areas of the north who fought with Southern forces, but remain in Sudan after the south declared its independence: in South Kordofan, where violence is already occurring, and in Blue Nile.

Threats to civilian populations throughout Sudan continue today. For recent updates, see the Current Situation.

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