Genocide in Sudan

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, “They do not see themselves as South Sudanese...

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