As an expert in the field of international relations and conflict resolution, I have a deep understanding of the complexities that surround the end of the war in Sudan. The Second Sudanese Civil War was a protracted conflict that spanned over two decades and had profound effects on the region. Here's a comprehensive overview of how the war ended, with a focus on the key events and agreements that led to its conclusion.
The Second Sudanese Civil War was a conflict from
1983 to 2005 between the central Sudanese government and the
Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). It was largely a continuation of the
First Sudanese Civil War of
1955 to 1972. The roots of the conflict were deeply embedded in ethnic, religious, and political differences, with the central government, dominated by the Arab Muslim north, often marginalizing the non-Arab and non-Muslim populations of the south.
The war was marked by extreme violence, including the use of scorched-earth tactics, forced displacement, and the recruitment of child soldiers. It led to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people, either through direct violence or as a result of disease and famine, and displaced millions more.
**Negotiations and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)**: The end of the war was largely facilitated by a series of peace talks and negotiations. The most significant of these was the
Nairobi Peace Talks, which began in 1992 and continued intermittently for over a decade. These talks were mediated by various international actors, including the **Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)** and the
Government of Kenya.
The culmination of these efforts was the signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on
January 9, 2005. The CPA was a detailed document that outlined steps for power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and the resolution of key issues such as the status of the disputed region of Abyei. It also provided a roadmap for a referendum on self-determination for the people of southern Sudan.
Implementation and Challenges: The implementation of the CPA was fraught with challenges. The power-sharing arrangements were complex and required significant cooperation between the north and the south. There were numerous instances of violence and breaches of the agreement, which threatened to reignite the conflict.
Despite these challenges, the CPA did lead to some significant changes. It established the
Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and set the stage for the
referendum on independence for the south, which was a key demand of the SPLA.
Independence of South Sudan: The war effectively ended with the
referendum held from
January 9 to 15, 2011. An overwhelming majority of the southern population voted in favor of independence. On
July 9, 2011, South Sudan officially declared its independence, becoming the world's newest nation.
Post-Independence Conflicts: It's important to note that while the CPA and the subsequent independence of South Sudan marked the end of the Second Sudanese Civil War, the region has not been without conflict. South Sudan has faced its own internal strife and civil war since its independence, highlighting the ongoing challenges of state-building and peacebuilding in the region.
In conclusion, the end of the war in Sudan was a result of a combination of factors, including international diplomacy, peace negotiations, and the signing of the CPA. The war's conclusion led to the independence of South Sudan, but it also underscored the complex and ongoing nature of peace and stability in the region.
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