As a subject matter expert, I specialize in historical conflicts and their impacts on societies. When discussing the Sudanese civil war, it's important to recognize the complexity and the profound human toll of such a long-standing conflict. The Sudanese civil war, which spanned several phases and periods, was a series of conflicts that took place in Sudan from 1955 to 2005, with a brief hiatus, and later resumed as a separate conflict in the newly independent South Sudan from 2013 to 2015.
The first Sudanese civil war began in 1955, shortly after Sudan gained independence from the British and Egyptian condominium rule, and lasted until 1972. The second phase, which is often considered the more devastating, started in 1983 and ended with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. This second war was primarily fought between the central government, dominated by the Arab-Islamic north, and the predominantly Christian and animist south. The causes of the conflict were multifaceted, including ethnic, religious, and political differences, as well as disputes over resources and power-sharing.
The statement that "The ongoing civil war in Sudan has caused the deaths of nearly two million people since 1983" is a reference to estimates that have been reported by various humanitarian agencies and scholars. However, it's crucial to understand that these figures are estimates and can vary depending on the source and the methodology used to calculate them. The actual number of deaths can be difficult to ascertain due to the challenges in documenting fatalities in a region experiencing ongoing conflict, particularly when it involves remote and inaccessible areas.
The humanitarian impact of the war was catastrophic, with not only a massive loss of life but also widespread displacement of people, both internally and as refugees. The conflict led to severe malnutrition, the collapse of infrastructure, and the disruption of essential services such as healthcare and education. The war also had a significant impact on the country's economy and development.
It's also worth noting that the civil war in Sudan has had a lasting legacy that continues to affect the region. The CPA, which ended the second civil war, led to a referendum in 2011 that resulted in the secession of South Sudan as an independent nation. However, the path to peace and stability has been fraught with challenges, and conflict has continued in various forms, including a new civil war that erupted in South Sudan in 2013.
In conclusion, the Sudanese civil war is a tragic chapter in the history of the region, marked by immense human suffering and loss. While the figures provided by humanitarian agencies offer a glimpse into the scale of the tragedy, they are subject to interpretation and should be considered within the broader context of the conflict's multifaceted nature and its long-term consequences.
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