Sudan

Sudan
Conventional long name	Republic of the Sudan
Capital	Khartoum
Largest city	Omdurman
Official languages	Arabic, English
Government type	Military junta (under transition)
Leader title1	Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council
Leader name1	Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Area km2	1,886,068
Population estimate	~48 million
Population estimate year	2023

Sudan. Located in Northeast Africa, it is the third-largest country on the African continent and historically served as a confluence of Arab and African cultures. The nation's modern history has been profoundly shaped by prolonged civil war, including the Second Sudanese Civil War which led to the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Recent years have been dominated by political upheaval, notably the Sudanese Revolution in 2019 and the subsequent outbreak of a major armed conflict in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

History

Ancient Sudan was home to the Kingdom of Kush, a major regional power that conquered Ancient Egypt and established its capital at Napata and later Meroë. In the medieval period, powerful Islamic sultanates emerged, such as the Funj Sultanate of Sennar and the Sultanate of Darfur. The 19th century saw Muhammad Ali's forces extend Ottoman-Egyptian control, a period known as the Turkiyah, before the rise of the Mahdist State under Muhammad Ahmad. This state was defeated by combined British and Egyptian forces at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, leading to the establishment of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan condominium. Post-independence in 1956, the nation experienced a series of unstable parliamentary governments and military coups, including the 1969 coup led by Gaafar Nimeiry. The First Sudanese Civil War and the longer Second Sudanese Civil War, largely fought between the central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army, resulted in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 and the eventual independence of South Sudan. The regime of Omar al-Bashir, who took power in 1989, was marked by the War in Darfur and international sanctions, until his ousting during the Sudanese Revolution.

Geography

The country features a diverse landscape, dominated by the Nile River and its two main tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, which converge at Khartoum. The north is primarily arid, containing part of the Nubian Desert and the Libyan Desert, while the central regions consist of savannah and the fertile Gezira plain between the Niles. The western region includes the Darfur plateau and the Marrah Mountains, and the east is bordered by the Red Sea Hills. Significant natural features include Jebel Marra, an extinct volcano, and the Sudanian Savanna belt. The climate ranges from hyper-arid in the north to tropical in the far south.

Government and politics

Following the 2019 Sudanese coup d'état and the dissolution of Omar al-Bashir's regime, a joint military-civilian Transitional Sovereignty Council was established, with leadership from Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This transitional government was tasked with guiding the country toward democratic elections, a process detailed in the 2019 Sudanese Constitutional Declaration. However, a 2021 Sudanese coup d'état disrupted this transition, consolidating military control. The political landscape fractured completely with the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, plunging the nation into a severe humanitarian and governance crisis. Key political entities have included the Forces of Freedom and Change and the National Umma Party.

Economy

Long dependent on agriculture and oil exports, the economy was severely impacted by the loss of most oil fields following the secession of South Sudan. Key agricultural products include cotton, gum arabic (of which Sudan is a leading global producer), sesame, and sorghum. The Gezira Scheme is one of the world's largest irrigation projects. The nation has sought to develop mining sectors, particularly for gold, with operations in the Red Sea Hills. Chronic issues include high inflation, a large external debt, and economic sanctions historically imposed by the United States and others. The ongoing conflict since 2023 has devastated infrastructure and crippled economic activity.

Demographics

The population is composed of numerous ethnic and linguistic groups. Major ethnic groupings include Arabs, who predominantly inhabit the north and center, and various Nilotic and Nuba groups. Darfur is home to the Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit, among others. Islam is the predominant religion, with most Sudanese adhering to the Sunni branch, while small communities of Christians and adherents of traditional beliefs exist. A significant number of internally displaced persons and refugees have been created by conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan, and the recent nationwide war.

Culture

Sudanese culture is a rich blend of African and Arab influences, reflected in its music, literature, and social customs. Traditional music utilizes instruments like the oud and the tambour, with notable modern musicians including Mohammad Wardi and Abdel Karim el Kably. The country has a strong tradition of poetry, from classical Arabic poetry to the works of contemporary poets like Mahjoub Sharif. The University of Khartoum has been a central institution for intellectual life. Key cultural symbols include the tobe, the traditional women's dress, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The ancient archaeological sites of Meroë and Gebel Barkal are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Category:Sudan Category:Countries in Africa Category:Member states of the Arab League