Some background information on the founding of a new country in Africa: South Sudan, dividing the Sudan into two countries – Sudan and South Sudan
The foundation of national territories on the African continent was caused by a political developments in Europe in the 19th century. Borders in the colonies were fixed on the drawing board in line with the European system. Regions like in Sudan today were unknown to people not familiar with national territories. Due to the post-colonail inheritance they were confronted with fixed borders, regulated use of agriculture, and control of water supply. Conflict started when the impact of laws on land and water usage made itself felt to the Sudanese, particulary the division of different ethnic groups by the colonial borders. The boundariers of the provinces were changed serveral times beginning at the time of British colonial era at the onset of the 20th century and continuing till after independence of the Sudan (1956).
Today, a hot controversial issue is the border areas were drilling for oil is taking place, mainly the region around Abyei. Tensions between North and South became very obvious.
Civil war started and troubled people on and off for almost 50 years. Other sources of conflict and problems emerged because of the lack of economic development outside the capital region of Khartoum. The people in the South wanted autonomy and independence from the North. They decided by plebiscite. In July 2011 a referendum took place. The majority voted for independence.
Since then there are two countries, Sudan and South Sudan. |
|
