The public unrest across North Africa and the Middle East in recent weeks has overshadowed an extraordinary event in Sudan, where the country peacefully — and, by almost all accounts, fairly — held a referendum that backed independence for "South" Sudan. A new country looks set to be born.
The Republic of Sudan is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world and the 10th largest in the world, with a population just under 44 million. Since President Omar al-Bashir seized power in a coup in 1989, it has enjoyed robust economic growth — which topped 10 percent before the global financial crisis — primarily on the back of oil resources with the aid of macroeconomic reforms. The bulk of its citizens still earn a living from agriculture; not surprisingly, 40 percent of the population live below the poverty line, and unemployment nears 20 percent.
The biggest obstacle to growth, development and prosperity is the country's dual identity. Sudan is a bifurcated nation, with an Arab and predominately Muslim north and an African, Christian and animist South — divisions that were accentuated by British colonial rule. A civil war broke out even before independence and continued until 1972, as southerners protested domination by the north and disrespect of their religion. A ceasefire accord prevailed until 1983, when fighting resumed over the same old grievances. Fighting has been waged almost continuously ever since.