History of Sudan
Since establishing its independence in 1956, Sudan has endured rule by a series of unstable parliamentary governments and military regimes. In 1962, when political conditions were no longer bearable, a civil war broke out in the south resulting in the death of over 2 million people, and the displacement of some 4 million, over a period of 40 years. Within this period, not only did the violation of human rights, the practice of slavery, and religious persecution become commonplace, but as a result of this, the nation became yet further isolated from the international community.
In 1983, social conditions for women took an abrupt downturn as the presiding general, Major General Gaafar Mohammed Nimeiri, instituted Shariah law upon the country, rendering repressive social and physical practices, such as the control of female dress, behavior and mobility, an expectation. This move aggravated the already tense relations between the Arab population of the north of Sudan, and the Christians and black African animists of the south.
It was only in 2002 when a ceasefire was at last declared between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army (SPLM/A); a deal contingent on the agreement that the government consented to a power-share for a period of six years, after which a referendum was to take place regarding self-determination for the south. Women were not included in the negotiation of the peace deal, and during the peace talks fighting continued amongst the two factions.
In early 2003, another conflict erupted in the western region of Darfur between Arab militias, or Janjaweed, and two rebel groups claiming to represent black Sudanese interests, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The pillaging of small villages by Janjaweed was typified by the razing of houses, murdering of their inhabitants, and the systematic raping and torturing of women; in one particular case reports claimed there were 100 rape victims alone. A peace deal has since been reached, but its implications remain largely ignored.
However, in 2005, the year began more positively with a new peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A, ending nearly two decades of violence. The new deal involves the deployment of a multi-national hybrid peacekeeping force by the UN and African Union, intent on monitoring the implementation of the deal and supporting the building of a national capacity until a referendum is held concerning the sovereignty of the south in 2011.
Even so, conditions for women still remain adverse, with many subjected to abduction by the numerous armed groups. Violence against women continues to be a problem, although accurate statistics fail to exist on account of the reluctance of many victims to file formal complaints to such abuse, however, domestic violence is now deemed sufficient grounds for divorce.