What Went Wrong in Sudan?

Summary

Sudan, a country with a tumultuous history of coups and civil wars, continues to face political and economic challenges. Colonized by the British Empire, it inherited ethnic tensions and became a battleground for superpowers, leading to a cycle of conflict. Despite gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has been plagued by sanctions, the loss of oil-rich South Sudan, and military interventions. The 2021 coup further deepened the nation's uncertainty, yet the resilient Sudanese people continue to demand democracy and civilian rule.

Takeaways

• 🏛 Sudan has experienced multiple coup attempts over the past 60 years, reflecting a history of political instability.
• 🌍 The country's troubles are rooted in colonial history, with the British Empire and Egypt's influence creating a divide-and-rule strategy that sowed the seeds of future conflicts.
• 🛑 Sudan's independence in 1956 did not end its geopolitical struggles, as it remained a significant player in regional conflicts and was heavily involved in the Cold War proxy battles.
• 🔫 The term 'Africa's arms dump' highlights Sudan's history of being flooded with weapons by global powers, exacerbating internal tensions.
• 💔 Sudan has endured two devastating civil wars, resulting in massive loss of life and displacement, with the second civil war alone causing around 2 million deaths.
• 🛑 The political instability has had a direct impact on Sudan's economy, creating a vicious cycle of economic downturn and political unrest.
• 🇺🇸 The U.S. imposed sanctions on Sudan in 1997, labeling it a state sponsor of terrorism, which severely limited international trade and access to essential goods.
• 📉 South Sudan's independence in 2011 led to Sudan losing a significant portion of its oil reserves and income, further straining the economy.
• 📈 Despite the lifting of U.S. sanctions in 2017, the long-term effects have left many Sudanese in poverty, with little improvement in living conditions.
• 🗣️ In 2019, widespread protests led to the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, but the military's continued presence in governance has thwarted democratic progress.
• 🚫 The 2021 coup by the military dissolved the transitional government, plunging Sudan into further uncertainty and resistance from the populace.

Q & A

What is the historical context of the political instability in Sudan?

Sudan's political instability is rooted in its colonial past, with the British Empire and Egypt investing heavily in the north while leaving the south under tribal leadership and Christian missionaries, creating a divide-and-rule scenario that led to socioeconomic tensions and subsequent civil wars.

How did the British colonial rule impact Sudan's development?

British colonial rule impacted Sudan by modernizing the north with schools and promoting Islam, while in the south, power was scattered among tribal leaders and the education system was run by Christian missionaries, leading to a divided nation with different levels of development and social structures.

What role did foreign intervention play in Sudan's conflicts?

Foreign intervention, particularly from world superpowers like the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, exacerbated existing tensions by supplying weapons, which led to Sudan being dubbed 'Africa's arms dump' and contributed to the ongoing armed conflicts.

When did Sudan gain independence and what challenges did it face post-independence?

Sudan gained independence from British colonial rule in 1956. However, it faced numerous challenges including civil wars, geopolitical importance leading to foreign interventions, and a lack of unity within the country.

How has the term 'Africa's arms dump' been applied to Sudan?

The term 'Africa's arms dump' refers to the influx of weapons into Sudan from global powers, particularly during the Cold War, which intensified the country's internal conflicts and made it a hotspot for proxy wars.

What were the consequences of the U.S. sanctions imposed on Sudan in 1997?

The U.S. sanctions in 1997, which lasted for 20 years, crippled Sudan's economy by cutting off most international trade, making essential items like healthcare equipment and airplane parts inaccessible and contributing to the country's economic hardship.

What was the impact of South Sudan's independence on Sudan's economy?

The independence of South Sudan in 2011 had a significant impact on Sudan's economy as it resulted in the loss of an estimated 75% of Sudan's oil reserves and a substantial portion of its income.

How did the sanctions and the loss of oil reserves contribute to Sudan's poverty levels?

The sanctions and the loss of oil reserves led to a severe economic downturn, with the result that by 2014, it was estimated that 36% of Sudan's population was living in poverty.

What was the situation in Sudan leading up to the coup attempt in October 2021?

Prior to the 2021 coup attempt, Sudan was experiencing a deteriorating economy, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and protests calling for military reform and full civilian rule, amidst a backdrop of historical ethnic tensions and political instability.

What was the outcome of the 2019 protests in Sudan?

The 2019 protests in Sudan led to the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, a military-backed ruler who had been in power for 30 years. However, pro-democracy groups were unable to force the military out of power, leading to a power-sharing agreement between civilian leaders and military heads.

What are the aspirations of the Sudanese people as expressed in the script?

The Sudanese people, as expressed in the script, are seeking to remove the military from power, have democratic elections, and establish a civilian government to take charge of their own fate, which they have been denied for a long time.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 Sudan's Colonial Legacy and Political Turmoil

This paragraph delves into Sudan's history of political instability and economic hardship, tracing back to the country's colonial past under British rule and its divide-and-rule policy that sowed the seeds of ethnic and socioeconomic tensions. It highlights the impact of foreign intervention, particularly during the Cold War, where Sudan became a battleground for proxy wars, leading to an influx of arms and exacerbating internal conflicts. The paragraph also underscores the consequences of Sudan's independence in 1956, the ongoing civil wars, and the geopolitical significance that has consistently drawn foreign powers into its affairs.

05:01

📉 Economic Struggles and the Quest for Democracy in Sudan

The second paragraph focuses on Sudan's economic challenges and the people's desire for a democratic government. It discusses the crippling effects of U.S. sanctions in 1997, which were based on false premises and led to a significant reduction in international trade, impacting access to essential goods. The narrative also covers the loss of oil reserves following South Sudan's independence in 2011, which contributed to a large portion of Sudan's income and led to increased poverty rates. Despite the lifting of sanctions in 2017, the economic situation did not improve significantly, leading to widespread protests and the eventual military takeover in 2019. The paragraph concludes with the people's ongoing struggle for a civilian government and their resistance to military rule.

10:59

🛡️ The Cycle of Coups and the Impact of Foreign Arms in Sudan

This paragraph provides a detailed account of Sudan's recurring coups and the role of foreign powers in arming the country, leading to a cycle of violence and instability. It revisits the colonial period, emphasizing the British Empire's divide-and-rule strategy and the subsequent civil wars that have plagued Sudan since its independence. The paragraph also discusses the impact of Cold War politics, where Sudan was used as a pawn by the U.S. and Soviet Union, leading to an arms race that further destabilized the nation. The narrative continues with the recent coup in 2021, which has thrown Sudan into a new era of uncertainty, yet has also sparked a wave of resistance among the people who are determined to reclaim their power and establish a civilian government.

16:00

🗳️ The Aspiration for Democracy and Self-Determination in Sudan

The final paragraph emphasizes the Sudanese people's strong desire to remove the military from power and establish a democratic, civilian government. It reflects on the repeated coup attempts over the past 60 years and the continuous denial of self-determination to the people. The paragraph highlights the importance of the people taking to the streets to voice their displeasure and demand change, showcasing their determination to be in charge of their own fate and to break the cycle of political and economic instability that has long plagued Sudan.

Keywords

💡Coup

A coup, short for coup d'état, is the overthrow of an existing government, typically through a swift and forceful action by a small group. In the context of the video, Sudan has experienced multiple coups over the past 60 years, indicating a recurring pattern of political instability. The script mentions the military seizing power in October 2021 as an example of a coup.

💡Economic Hardships

Economic hardships refer to difficult economic conditions that a country or its people face, often characterized by poverty, unemployment, or a lack of access to basic needs. The video script describes Sudan's economic struggles as a result of its political instability and external factors, such as sanctions and the loss of oil revenue after South Sudan's independence.

💡Political Instability

Political instability denotes a lack of continuity or predictability in a government's policies, often due to frequent changes in leadership or power structures. The video script attributes Sudan's political instability to its history of coups, civil wars, and foreign interventions, which have disrupted the country's governance and development.

💡Civil Wars

Civil wars are armed conflicts between factions within the same country. The script highlights Sudan's history of civil wars as a significant factor contributing to its ongoing instability and hardships. The two civil wars mentioned in the script resulted in massive loss of life and displacement of people.

💡Foreign Intervention

Foreign intervention refers to the involvement of external entities, such as other countries or international organizations, in the internal affairs of a state. The video script discusses how foreign powers, including the British Empire, the United States, and Russia, have influenced Sudan's political and military landscape, exacerbating tensions and conflicts.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. The script describes how British colonial rule in Sudan led to a divide-and-rule strategy that created long-lasting socioeconomic tensions and contributed to future conflicts.

💡Divide and Rule

Divide and rule is a strategy employed by colonial powers to weaken a region by creating or exploiting divisions among its people. The video script explains how the British colonialists applied this tactic in Sudan by investing heavily in the north while leaving the south fragmented, sowing the seeds for future ethnic and regional conflicts.

💡Geopolitical Importance

Geopolitical importance refers to the strategic significance of a region or country in terms of international relations and power dynamics. Sudan's location in the Horn of Africa made it a focal point for global powers, as discussed in the script, leading to an influx of weapons and further complicating the country's internal conflicts.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are measures imposed by one or more countries on another country, group, or individual to coerce certain behaviors or policies. The script mentions U.S. sanctions on Sudan, which were imposed due to accusations of terrorism support and had a devastating impact on the country's economy and access to essential goods.

💡Secession

Secession is the act of a region or group withdrawing from a larger entity, often to form a separate state. The script refers to South Sudan's secession from Sudan, which had significant economic implications for Sudan, including the loss of a substantial portion of its oil reserves.

💡Protests

Protests are public demonstrations against perceived injustices or policies. The video script describes how Sudanese citizens have taken to the streets in protest, expressing their dissatisfaction with military rule and their desire for democratic elections and a civilian government.

💡Transitional Government

A transitional government is an interim administration that is established to guide a country through a period of political change. The script mentions the establishment of a transitional government in Sudan, which was intended to pave the way for democratic elections and a civilian-led government, but was dissolved by the military during the 2021 coup.

Highlights

Sudan has experienced coup attempts every decade for the past 60 years, causing ongoing instability.

Sudan's economic hardships and political instability are not random but have deep historical roots.

British colonial rule and divide-and-rule tactics sowed the seeds of socioeconomic tensions in Sudan.

Foreign intervention, especially during the Cold War, exacerbated Sudan's class, ethnic, and religious tensions.

Sudan was dubbed 'Africa's arms dump' due to the influx of weapons from global powers.

Sudan's two civil wars, 11 years apart, resulted in over 2 million deaths and 4 million displacements.

Political instability has severely impacted Sudan's economy, hindering development.

US sanctions in 1997, based on false claims, cut Sudan off from international trade for 20 years.

South Sudan's independence in 2011 led to Sudan losing 75% of its oil reserves and significant income.

36% of Sudan's population was living in poverty in 2014, highlighting the country's economic struggles.

The lifting of US sanctions in 2017 did not significantly improve living conditions for many Sudanese.

In 2019, protests led to the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, but the military remained in power.

A power-sharing agreement between civilian leaders and the military was supposed to lead to a democratic transition by 2023.

The 2021 coup dissolved the transitional government, continuing Sudan's cycle of military rule.

The Sudanese people are demanding the removal of the military from power and democratic elections.

The Sudanese population is taking to the streets, voicing their desire for a civilian government.

Sudan's history of foreign intervention, ethnic tension, and economic struggle has led to a resilient wave of resistance.

Transcripts

Imagine living through a coup attempt every decade for the past 60 years.

That's exactly what's happened in Sudan,

the northeastern African state with more than 40 million people.

In October 2021, thousands of people flooded the streets

after the military seized power in another coup.

So what's gone wrong?

The most important thing to understand is that

Sudan's economic hardships and political instability didn't happen on their own.

It didn't happen out of a vacuum.

You have Sudan, it's plagued by

a number of civil wars throughout the time,

from its time of its independence.

You have a lack of unity.

You have different superpowers

that are getting involved.

Ah, yes, foreign intervention.

First, it was the British Empire.

The British colonized Sudan

at the turn of the 20th century,

sharing colonial control with Egypt,

which was subordinate to Britain.

British colonialists invested heavily in the north, while Egypt ruled over the south.

Britain put northern leaders in positions of authority,

modernized schools and encouraged Islam.

While in the south, British rulers scattered power among hundreds of tribal leaders,

and Christian missionaries ran the education system.

This colonial tactic of divide and rule created socioeconomic tensions

that played a role in Sudan's future conflicts.

And then it culminated with

these various civil wars

that occurred throughout the history of Sudan.

Sudan gained independence from British colonial rule in 1956,

but its troubles didn't end there.

As part of the Horn of Africa,

Sudan was extremely important in geopolitics.

Injections of weapons from world superpowers, including the United States,

aggravated existing class, ethnic and religious tensions.

In fact, Sudan has often been dubbed as, quote,

“Africa's arms dump.”

During the Cold War, Sudan was one of many countries ravaged by the U.S. and Soviet Union,

waging war via local proxies.

The U.S. alone sold

Sudanese governments nearly $1 billion in arms during that time.

And today, Sudan is one of Russia's biggest customers on the African continent.

So Sudan inherited colonial-engineered ethnic tension

and was armed by countries eyeing Sudan's geopolitical importance.

And that's why it's not a coincidence that armed conflicts

have consistently flared up in Sudan.

Since gaining independence,

Sudan went through two civil wars

just 11 years apart,

the second of which

left around 2 million people dead

and more than 4 million displaced.

Government backed militia groups

massacred countless Darfuri civilians in 2003

after anti-government armed groups

began fighting the state.

All this political instability meant the economy was going to struggle,

which in turn only worsened the political instability.

A bad foundation set by exploitative colonial practices and frequent armed conflicts

was already hampering Sudan's economic development.

U.S. sanctions and the independence of South Sudan

added more challenges in managing the economy.

In 1997,

the U.S. placed debilitating sanctions on Sudan

after labeling it as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Based on false claims that a pharmaceutical factory was producing

chemical weapons for al Qaeda,

the U.S. bombed the factory in Khartoum, Sudan's capital.

The 20-year sanctions cut Sudan off from most international trade.

Essential items like health care equipment and airplane parts became inaccessible.

Down, down, U.S.A.!

In 2011, after the long haul of the second civil war,

South Sudan gained independence.

The secession of South Sudan meant that Sudan lost

an estimated 75% of its oil reserves and a huge chunk of its income.

It's therefore no surprise that 36% of Sudan's population were thought

to be living in poverty in 2014.

The U.S. did eventually lift sanctions in 2017,

but in the shadow of the sanction’s long lasting effects,

life for many Sudanese people didn't improve.

In 2019, the Sudanese military

took control after protests

swept across the country

due to rising food and fuel prices.

Omar al-Bashir, a military-backed ruler who stayed in power for 30 years, was overthrown.

But pro-democracy groups couldn't force the military out of power.

Civilian leaders and military heads were supposed to co-govern the country

until 2023 to run a democratic election

and transition to a completely civilian-led government.

But the deteriorating economy and COVID pandemic made things even harder.

Protests broke out calling for military reform and full civilian rule.

But like more than a dozen times before, the military took over

and dissolved the transitional government.

With foreign intervention,

historical ethnic tension,

heavily armed conflict

and economic struggle,

the 2021 coup has thrown Sudan into another wave of uncertainty,

but also into another wave of resistance.

The people should have the power.

The people have taken to the streets. The people are voicing their displeasure.

For the most part, the people themselves are

truly interested in

removing the military from power and having

democratic elections and

having a civilian government.

So the people themselves actually need to

run the government,

be in charge of their own fate.

Because for so long,

they have not been able to. They've been denied this.

Imagine living through coup attempts every decade for the past 60 years.

That's exactly what's happened in Sudan.

The northeastern African state with more than 40 million people.

In October 2021, thousands of people flooded the streets

after the military seized power in another coup.

So what's gone wrong?

The most important thing to understand is that

Sudan's economic hardships and political instability didn't happen on their own.

It didn't happen out of a vacuum.

You have the Sudan, it's plagued by

a number of civil wars throughout the time,

from its time of its independence.

You have a lack of unity.

You have different superpowers

that are getting involved.

Oh, yes, foreign intervention.

First, it was the British Empire.

The British colonized Sudan

at the turn of the 20th century,

sharing colonial control with Egypt,

which was subordinate to Britain.

British colonialists invested heavily in the north, while Egypt ruled over the south.

Britain put northern leaders in positions of authority,

modernize schools and encouraged Islam,

while in the south, British rulers scattered power among hundreds of tribal leaders

and Christian missionaries ran the education system.

This colonial tactic of divide and rule created socioeconomic tensions

that played a role in Sudan's future conflicts.

And that culminated with these various civil wars

that occurred throughout the history of Sudan.

Sudan gained independence from British colonial rule in 1956,

but its troubles didn't end there.

As part of the Horn of Africa.

Sudan was extremely important in geopolitics.

Injections of weapons from world superpowers, including the United States,

aggravated existing class ethnic and religious tensions.

In fact, Sudan has often been dubbed as, quote,

“Africa's arms dump.”

During the Cold War, Sudan was one of many countries ravaged by the U.S. and Soviet Union,

waging war via local proxies.

The U.S. alone sold

Sudanese governments nearly $1 billion in arms during that time.

And today, Sudan is one of Russia's biggest customers on the African continent.

So Sudan inherited colonial-engineered ethnic tension

and was armed by countries eyeing Sudan's geopolitical importance.

And that's why it's not a coincidence that armed conflicts

have consistently flared up in Sudan.

Since gaining independence,

Sudan went through two civil wars

just eleven years apart,

the second of which

left around 2 million people dead

and more than 4 million displaced.

Government backed militia groups

massacred countless Darfuri civilians in 2003

after anti-government armed groups

began fighting the state.

All this political instability meant the economy was going to struggle,

which in turn only worsened the political instability.

A bad foundation set by exploitative colonial practices and frequent armed conflicts

was already hampering Sudan's economic development.

US sanctions and the independence of South Sudan

added more challenges in managing the economy.

In 1997,

the US placed debilitating sanctions on Sudan

after labeling it as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Based on false claims that a pharmaceutical factory was producing

chemical weapons for al Qaeda,

the US bombed the factory in Khartoum, Sudan's capital.

The 20 year sanctions cut Sudan off from most international trade.

Essential items like health care equipment and airplane parts became inaccessible.

Down, down, U.S.A.!

In 2011, after the long haul of the second civil war,

South Sudan gained independence.

The secession of South Sudan meant that Sudan lost

an estimated 75% of its oil reserves and a huge chunk of its income.

It's therefore no surprise that 36% of Sudan's population were thought

to be living in poverty in 2014.

The US did eventually lift sanctions in 2017,

but in the shadow of the sanction’s long lasting effects,

life for many Sudanese people didn't improve.

In 2019, the Sudanese military

took control after protests

swept across the country

due to rising food and fuel prices.

Omar al-Bashir, a military backed ruler who stayed in power for 30 years was overthrown.

But pro-democracy groups couldn't force the military out of power.

Civilian leaders and military heads were supposed to govern the country

until 2023 to run a democratic election

and transition to a completely civilian led government.

But the deteriorating economy and COVID pandemic made things even harder.

Protests broke out calling for military reform and full civilian rule.

But like more than a dozen times before, the military took over

and dissolved the transitional government.

With foreign intervention,

historical ethnic tension,

heavily armed conflict

and economic struggle.

The 2021 coup has thrown Sudan into another wave of uncertainty,

but also into another wave of resistance.

The people should have the power.

The people have taken to the streets. The people are voicing their displeasure.

For the most part that people themselves are

truly interested in

removing the military from power and having

democratic elections and

having a civilian government.

So the people themselves actually need to

run the government

be in charge of their own fate,

because for so long,

they have not been able to, they've been denied this.