Political Instability in Sudan: Causes and Potential Impacts (Essay Sample)

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Political Instability in Sudan
In 2011, Sudan divided into two countries following the series of intensified conflicts in the past decades, leading to the formation of the new Republic of South Sudan. The independence of the new Sudan, however, was short-lived by the series of political tension witnessed between the country’s president, Salva Kiir and the vice president, Riek Machar. Reportedly, the conflict has led to the loss of lives of hundreds of civilians following attacks targeting the Nuer ethnic group. Subsequently, a revenge attack by Machar has also caused hundreds of deaths of the Dinka (Englebert and Kevin 55). The persistent insecurity and conflict in the country has led to millions of people experiencing starvation. In 2017, both South Sudan and Sudan were declared famine territories posing a threat to the lives of citizens. Supported by empirical findings, the major causes of war in Sudan are ethnic group division, natural resources, and leadership struggle. Without consistent humanitarian services and peace, Sudan will continue to face the current economic and political challenges.
The Potential Causes of Conflict in Sudan
The three major causes of the current political instability in Sudan include leadership struggle, ethnicity, and natural resources and corruption. First, Sudan has longed been ruled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), under the ruling of John Garang since 1983 (Englebert and Kevin 50). The initial membership of the group was from the South, but as it gained momentum more members joined from the North. Ethnically, the SPLM is considered a diverse organization, with majority being from the Dinka and Nuer ethnicities. In 2005, the SPLM was a signatory to the peace treaty that ended the 22-years war (Janssen 3). However, before 2013, the group began experiencing disagreements, with the President Salvakiir, who took over the party leadership after the death of Garang, and Pagan Amm, the then party’s Secretary-General (situation 38). According to the International Crisis Group, this conflict would be resolved and the party continued to express its unified goals. However, a conflict between the President and the Vice President would soon erupt in the year 2010 when the two leaders advocated for rival candidate for some critical electoral positions (de Waal 345). The power struggles erupted when Riek Machar, the Vice President, liaised with leaders like the late Garang’s widow and Pagn Amun to run for the SPLM chairmanship post, which would lead to them claiming presidency. This partnership led to a rebellion by President Kiir who then impeached Riek and Dr. Rick, thus, disintegrating the government (de Waal 346). This power struggle and differences in political opinion