Language Research

2. Background: Background notes

Independence was achieved on January 1, 1956 (from Egypt and the UK).

The Constitution originally adopted on April 12, 1973, was suspended following a coup on April 6, 1985. An interim Constitution from October 10, 1985 was suspended following a coup on June 30, 1989. A new Constitution was implemented on June 30, 1998.

Ever since its independence in 1956, Sudan has known peace for only eleven years, 1972 - 1983 following the peace accord signed in Addis Ababa between the North and the South. After that millions have been killed or displaced and starved while thousands have been maimed as a result of civil war.

The seventeen-year conflict between the South and North was resolved in March 1972. This agreement guaranteed the integration of all the regions within one united Sudan. The Southern regional government could exercise executive powers with an independent Public Service Commission, and a Southern Peoples’ Regional Assembly with legislative powers established in Juba. This accord brought some stability and peace to the South.

In 1983 the Addis Ababa Agreement was dismantled and abrogated and followed by implementation of Islamic law throughout the country. During the four years after the fall of the socialist dictator Nimeiri in 1985, Sudan went through a period of turbulent semi-democracy. Throughout this period, there was a bloody civil war, north against south.

The 1989 military coup that overthrew Sudan's democratically elected government brought to power Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and his National Salvation Revolution Command Council (RCC). Bashir and the RCC suspended the 1985 Constitution, abrogated press freedom, and disbanded all political parties and trade unions.

In 1995, the country was federated into 26 States, each with elected Parliaments. The relationship between the State and Federal Governments is set forth in the Twelfth Constitutional Amendment. In the same year, the Thirteenth Constitutional Decree and Public Elections Act, both made in 1995, set up a complete system of election, and appointment where appropriate, for every official in the country.

The Peace Agreement, signed in Khartoum on April 21, 1997 between the Government and elements of the rebel movement, promises a free and fair referendum for South Sudan after a four-year transition period. The choice on the ballot paper will be between secession and continued federation. The 1997 agreement remains largely unimplemented, and there was significant fighting between pro-government and antigovernment elements of the Southern Sudan Independence Movement (SSIM) throughout the year of 1999.

Despite the adoption of a new Constitution through a referendum in June of 1998, the Government continues to restrict most civil liberties. Since 1989 real power has rested with the National Islamic Front (NIF). In November of 1998, the NIF renamed itself the National Congress (NC). NIF/NC members and supporters continue to hold key positions in the Government, security forces, judiciary, academic institutions, and the media.

The Government continues to severely restrict the freedom of assembly, association, religion, and movement. In the context of the Islamization and Arabization drive, pressure (including forced Islamization) on non-Muslims remained strong. Fears of Arabization and Islamization and the imposition of Shari’a (Islamic law) have fueled support for the civil war throughout the country.

There are no independent human rights organizations.

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