

































 

 
 

 The Dynamics of Socio-Political Conflict and National Disintegration in 

Sudan 

Mohammed A. N. A. Imam (Ph.D.)  

Department of Sociology, Yobe State University, Nigeria 

Email: abusakin55@gmail.com 

Abstract: 

Sociopolitical conflict in Sudan have been prevalent for long time. Most parts of 

the country have experienced the conflict at different ways, forms and times. 

These conflicts have arisen primarily as a result of Sudanese political elite’s 

misuse of political power, country diversity andhas been the former’s continuous 

economic, political and cultural marginalization. The paper examines the 

dynamics of sociopolitical conflict on national integration in Sudan. The 

methodology adopted for this study involved qualitative data that were gathered 

from secondary sources, such as books, journals, websites and content 

exploratory. The results of the study revealed that national integration, unity, 

stability and peaceful coexistence cannot be achieved in an environment where 

some groups believes that they are different and even they super from others. 

Also the findings of the study explore the major dynamics that promote the 

conflict includes politicization of ethnicity and tribalism, political communalism, 

inequality in a national resources distribution, cultural distinctions  as well as 

some national institutions contributed to national disintegration of the country 

since independence up to date. Based on the major findings, the paper 

recommended that Sudanese political leaders and elites including military 

officers should carefully adopt the process of citizenship instead of focuson 

sociopolitical and economic exploitation. There is need for introducing 

comprehensive and proper economic developmentstrategy to reduce 

marginalization and periphery areas tensions, as well as a faire wealth and 

resources sharing among Sudanese equally.  

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Key Words: Conflict, Dynamics. Disintegration, Ethnicity, Sociopolitical, Sudan 

Introduction 

The Republic of Sudan has gained its independence on first January, 1956 and 

considered as one of the earliest African countries free of European 

colonialism. Instead of building national state by reflecting Sudanese diversity in 

terms of ethnic and tribal groups, religious, environment and other social 

entities, the country witnessed long history of instability and national 

disintegration. Widespread concern at present with social disintegration can be 

seen as a call to analyses the reasons behind the breakdown of certain 

institutions (such as states, religious organizations,  agent of family or even 

economic structure) or moral codes and to understand the kinds of social 

relations which are gaining prominence instead(UNRISD, 1994). Feelings of 

marginality and the disruption of existing forms of local solidarity are two 

elements exacerbating ethnic and religious conflict, and encouraging 

participation in illicit and illegal activities in many settings around the world 

today. Political instability linked to a long period of civil war between North and 

South which led to separation of South Sudan as Independent State on 

2011.Also continuation of conflicts between armed opposition groups and central 

government in Darfur region since 2003 except Juba peace agreement 

signatories in 2020, in South Kordufan and Blue Nile states are still warning. 

The conflict in South Kordufan State has been controlled by Sudanese Peoples 

Liberation Movement (SPLM) north and still anti-government, while the case 

conflict in Blue Nile is leading by SPLM, North but has singed peace 

agreement in Juba capital of South Sudan onOctober,2020 among front 

Revolution groups including most of Darfur armed movement’s. Both two groups 

of SPLM are initially part SPLM of South Sudan before the separation on 2011. 

In addition to the several ethnic and tribal conflicts took place in these states, 

such as recent ethnic conflict in Blue Nile State started on May, 2022 between 

Hausa people against Hamaj, Funj, El brta and Angasana tribe, and similar 

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ethnic conflicts are going on in west, south and North Darfur (mainly between 

Non-Arab ethnic groups via Arab tribal groups as well as the same in South 

Kordufan State between Nuba and coalition of Masiria and hawazma. All the 

ethnic conflicts has their different root causes, but all are hindering the national 

integration of the country. 

 The deadly current war (August, 2023) which started on 15 April, 2023 

between two military leaders Abdul fatah Elburhan and Mohammed Hamdan 

Doglo chief of Sudan Armed Forces(SAF) and Pre-military Rapid Support 

Forces (RSF) respectively. The conflict between two sides has started deadly 

and tough violent even against civilian but it has deep political motivations and 

ambitions for both of military leaders. 

Generally, national disintegration may be caused by poverty, cultural invasion, 

economic imperialism or social breakdown within the country, and the results of 

disintegration may be ethnic conflict, violence or apathy, exploitation, and forced 

assimilation (Young, 2002). In case of Sudan there are several factors led to 

the national disintegration including the absence of consciousness for Sudanese 

nationalism and identity, failure of political elites and legacy of British 

colonialism as well as national division in terms of inter-ethnic conflict and 

struggle over power. IOM (2011) Reported that Sudan problem has been 

complicated by deep roots of national division planted by British colonialism and 

nourished by changing governments in Khartoum by global powers which have 

used the country for their own ends. Unfortunately, the picture that was drown 

by colonial regime has been continued after independence and up-to-date. 

Moreover, the level of political instability followed by deadly civil wars and 

ethnic/tribal conflicts as well as national divisions are major features of 

contemporary Sudanese state.The struggle for national integration in the huge 

and underdevelopment of Sudan is very difficult, with ethnic and geographical 

factors weighing heavily (IOM,2011).This paper concentrate deeply on inter 

communal conflicts as a mirror of struggle over social conflict, as well as 

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political conflict over political power and wealth are most significant mechanisms 

hindering national integration and unity in Sudan. 

Methodology 

The methodology adopted for this study involved qualitative data that were 

gathered from secondary sources, such as books, journals and internet 

websites. Content exploratory and analysis was carried out to review existent 

literature and evaluate the study’s originality. 

 

 

Conceptual Framework: 

1-  Socio-Political Conflict:  

Conflict and struggle are part and parcel of everyday social and political 

relations, and it can be good when it leads to more equal redistribution of 

resources and power, but also conflict can be harmful when it involves loss 

of people’s lives, destroyed properties, violence or other forms of mental and 

physical abuse. conflict occurs when at least two groups interact with each 

other and there are differences in objectives, these groups will try to 

influence or control others by using violence (Alao, 2007:  19). Conflict is a 

type of behavior among individuals, groups, or even nations that transcends 

the regular dispute that underlies much of the everyday social, economic, 

and competitive activity of society (Burton, 1990).Boege and Turner (2006) 

defined as an activity which takes place when conscious beings (individuals 

or groups) wish to carry out mutually inconsistent acts concerning their 

needs or obligations. Socio-political context refers to laws, regulations, 

practices, values, and beliefs within a community in terms of social and 

political life. In other words, its interaction and linkage between a political 

system and its social environment. For instance, the structural socio-political 

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factors include, security, poverty, national wealth, income inequality, social 

integration and political conflict (Marchal, 2007).Socio-political issues exist 

when ideological differences approach social issues from different 

perspectives and will open to political or even ideological interpretation. 

2- Ethnicity and Tribalism 

 Ethnic group is a set of social group having a common national or 

cultural tradition, People belonging to one ethnic group can live in several 

geographical locations. Also ethnic group define as social group which, 

within a larger cultural and social system, claims or is accorded special 

status in terms of a complex of traits (ethnic traits) which it exhibits or is 

believed to exhibit ( Young, 2017). Ethnic membership tends to be 

defined by a shared cultural heritage, ancestry, origin myth, history, 

homeland, language, dialect, religion, mythology, folklore, ritual, cuisine, 

dressing style, art, and physical appearance. Ethnicity and ethnic group 

belonging matters for politics when it becomes the basis for political 

mobilization, competition, and conflict (Musa, 2022).Ethnicity refers to 

shared cultural practices, perspectives and distinction that set a part one 

group of people from another. In this context there are many groups 

considered as ethnic groups in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile 

States.  

 

The word tribeis a group of people who share the same customs and 

language as well as they believe from the same common ancestor and 

they leave under one chief authority. While term tribalismis a look after 

people from their tribes and give them preferences in allocation of rights 

and privileges. Tribe is a social division consisting of families or 

communities linked by blood ties with a common culture and dialect, 

having a recognized leader People belonging to a tribe usually live 

together (Fearon, 2003).Today, tribalism is often seen as putting one's 

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own group above every other consideration, including kindness or justice. 

Tribalism can lead to bigotry and racism and, when taken to extremes, 

even war. 

Tribalism implies the possession of a strong cultural or ethnic identity that 

separates one member of a group from the members of another 

group. In discussions of African politics and culture, Young, ( 2002) 

explained that, tribalism usually appears as the opposite of Nationalism, 

devotion to the interests and culture of one's entire country, the state of 

living in a tribe is tribalism as well asthis word is also used to describe 

situations where people are overly loyal to their own group. Considering 

Young’s view of tribe and tribalism, the case of Sudan especially study 

areas the term has been abused and it’s become a center of 

sociopolitical exploitation by political elites. 

3- National Integration: 

National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the 

citizens of a country. It means that though the individuals belong to 

different communities, castes, religions, cultures and regions and speak 

different languages, all of them recognize the fact that they are one. 

National integration is a process of creating a sense of national 

consciousness, uniqueness of identity and loyalty among people with 

different socio-cultural identities (racial, ethnic, language, religion, etc.) 

into a single territorial political society. Despite the differences in culture, 

caste, language, and main livelihood, the national integration keeps the 

entire country tote and strong. The objective of national integration is to 

unite every section of society and to provide equal opportunities to every 

citizen and a common platform in terms of cultural, social, and economic 

development. National Integration reduces discrimination, promotes 

brotherhood, supports national growth and development, and decreases 

crime on a larger level. National integration as a comprehensive affair 

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has several dimensions like political, social, economic, cultural, ethical 

and psychological dimensions. The current reality of Sudanese societies 

is showing that structural defect and deficiency of political and economic 

programs contributed to national disintegration of the country (Mohammed, 

2023). 

4- National Disintegration 

The process of losing cohesion or strength and social disintegration leads 

to the process of coming to pieces. State disintegration is the collapse of 

a country into two or more smaller independent countries, as a case of 

Southern Sudan. The integration brings things or people together, 

while disintegration means things are coming apart. One of the biggest 

threats to national integration is the narrow mindset that prevails over 

different political groups, social entities and identities. People in Sudan 

are primarily held captive by various traditional political groups and what 

so called native administration system due to politicization of all 

organizations and institutions. Even several states and local governments 

were created based on political locality. Sudan is a very diverse country, 

with many different ethnic and tribal groups, dialects, and religions. On 

the basis of all these characteristics, different populations in Sudan are 

distinct from one another. Ethnic and tribal are further divided into clans, 

languages are further divided into dialects, and religions are further 

divided into sub-religions in some parts of the country. 

Review of Related Literature 

Sudan has experienced prolong history of multidimensional conflicts since 

independence up to date. For purposes of this research it can be categorized 

in to two types of conflict, first conflict between central Sudanese government 

and regional opposition groups including south Sudan before separation in 

2011, Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile and East Sudan, this type of conflict 

reflecting the dilemma of center via marginalized areas, ongoing conflict 

(August, 2023) which started on 15 April, 2023 is a part of this type. Second 

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https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=625&sxsrf=AB5stBi__xX8xc5IlZm0-UAp2n29pYv68Q:1690058939113&q=cohesion&si=ACFMAn-fuhiZynqzEWN5DhRvBVht36X0f4CrXlNg110uA7iea6jIN9TSauaXLEeL_K6AOAD3FPuKuWQkmkM7mRKCg9dDZ5sOWw%3D%3D&expnd=1


 

 
 

type of conflict is inter-communal conflicts based on tribal and ethnic loyalty, 

this type reflecting the politicization of native administration system and 

polarization of tribal diversity. Such of this conflict also continuing in all of three 

areas despite of the first type. Johan (2008) argued that Sudan is characterized 

by a persistent domination of the center over the marginalized peripheral areas 

leading to extreme regional imbalances. This periphery-center dimension has 

been stressed in the armed conflicts within Sudan. Various rebel groups have 

demanded increased share of resources and political influence for marginalized 

areas. Since the conflicts in Sudan have this periphery-center dimension, 

arguably, a solution to these conflicts requires change in the center and 

policies been adopted since the independence. Subsequently, the 

consciousness of marginalization in periphery areas increased during 1960s 

where demanding regional organizations emerged such as Darfur resistance 

front, 1960 later it becomes Sooni and Red Frame, Nuba mountains Union, 

1965 in South Kordofan and Bija Conference, 1965 in East Sudan. The primary 

demands of all these organizations are lack of political representation, economic 

imbalance and providing more development resources to these areas. 

International Crisis Group (2013)exposed that conflict in South Kordofan , Darfur 

and Blue Nile has returned Sudan to square one. It is part of a spreading war 

zone, often called the “new South”, extending from the border with Chad in the 

west to that with Ethiopia in the east. Its roots are in the failure of multiple 

local peace agreements to end chronic warfare: the 2005 Comprehensive 

Peace Agreement (CPA), Cairo Agreement, East Sudan Peace Agreement, 

Darfur Peace Agreement, and Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. In addition 

to wars between the peripheries and the center has been the former’s 

continuous economic, political and cultural marginalization. The main argument 

is the periphery - center conflict which reflecting struggle over political power 

and wealth sharing, and inter- communal conflict which reflecting societal 

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conflict are the main mechanisms of conflict affecting Sudanese national 

integration.  

a- Conflict in Darfur Region 

The current conflict in Darfur between some armed opposition groups and 

Sudanese Government started on February, 2003 when the two main armed 

groups namely the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM, and the other was the 

Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) took arms against Sudan Government by 

claiming prominent economic and political marginalization of Darfur. On the 

other hand inter-communal conflicts in Darfur has a long history, mostly known 

as farmers-animal herders conflicts ( over natural resources) and it has rooted 

and effective local mechanisms of conflict resolution called reconciliation 

conferences headed by native administration leaders. But since end of 1980s 

and earlier of 1990s this type of conflict become more complicated and deadly 

due to politicization of native administration system and tribal entities by the 

central government and Darfur political elites. The conflict in Darfur is the 

product of a complex set of factors, including disputes over access to and 

control of natural resources; the inequitable distribution of economic and political 

power; the absence of strong, just governance; militarization; and the 

proliferation of small arms(Julie, 2010).Violence has continued in Darfur since 

the transitional government took power, and despite the Sudanese Peace 

Agreement which was signed in 2020. The ongoing attacks have included 

unlawful killings, beatings, sexual violence, lootings, and the burning of villages. 

Adam Azzain (2007) a leading Darfur scholar, argues that the current disaster 

in Darfur is a result of interlinked communal conflicts, conflicts between different 

regional elites and periphery-center conflicts. The involvement of ruling parties 

political leaders, military regime officers are fully engaged in conflict over 

political power and wealth sharing, while Native administration and community 

leaders are a part of inter communal conflict. On the other hand both types of 

conflicts undermining national and social integration of the country. 

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b- Conflict in South Kordofan 

Sudan’s South Kordofan state has been the center of armed conflict between 

the Government of Sudan and opposition groups in the past decades. The 

region has struggle with poverty, lack of basic services and influx of a large 

number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Despite reduced violence and 

absence of active conflict since 2016, the situation remains volatile in terms of 

security and humanitarian needs (UNTF, 2017).The current conflict in South 

Kordofan is a renewal of the years-long conflict centered in the Nuba 

Mountains during the second Sudanese civil war 1983–2005 (SHSBA, 2012). 

Initially conflict over political power and wealth sharing in the Sudanese 

southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile is manly between the 

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North 

(SPLM-N), a northern affiliate of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement 

(SPLM) in South Sudan. Since Sudan’s independence in 1956, the Nuba have 

faced aggressive policies from the central government, such as land-grabbing 

by investors in commercial farming, and attempts to supplant local cultures with 

the Arab-African culture of the northern Nile Valley. Beside current political 

conflict between Sudan Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement 

North, there are inter communal conflicts between Nuba ethnic group and other 

tribal groups such as Hawzma and Messyria since end of 1980s, these local 

conflicts parties are supported by SPLM- N and SAF respectively. As a part of 

peripheral areas conflict the tribal conflicts in South Kordofan mobilizes and 

drive by Central government, South Kordofan political elites and SPLM-N 

leaders for political ambitious    

c- Conflict in Blue Nile 

The Sudanese conflict in Blue Nile was an armed conflict in the Sudanese 

southern states including South Kordofan between the Sudanese Armed Forces 

(SAF) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a northern 

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affiliate of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan. 

The Blue Nile experienced the hardships of civil war that broke out in 1985. 

Recently the conflict escalated again between the two signatory-groups of the 

Government of Sudan and the Blue Nile’s Sudan People’s Liberation 

Army/Movement ( Mey, 2013) According to El-Sheikh’s (2005) classification, the 

Blue Nile tribes are divided in to indigenous groups: Funj and Ingessana tribes 

this comprise of Al hamaj. Alberta, Alrqaiqe and wataweet. The northern tribes: 

They come from northern, eastern and western Sudan and include tribes such 

as Gala’an, Nubian, Shaiyia, Kennana, Rufa’a Al-Hoi, Shukriya, Zaghawi and 

Fur. Arabic nomads: The groups mainly form the Rafaa, Kennana tribes. They 

have a long relationship with the indigenous Blue Nile tribes. West African 

tribes: Falata Umbroro (the transhumance pastoralists) and the Hausa tribes, 

who originally came from western Africa, settled in the Blue Nile in the 

beginning of the 1950s and were permitted by the indigenous tribes to use the 

natural resources. The mixed people: These are outcomes of intermarriages 

between northern and other tribes with indigenous Funj groups. Thus they are 

mixed people called Wataweet as well as other sub tribe. From the 1950s 

onwards, Blue Nile became the destination of successive waves of settlers, 

including different ethnic groups from the north as well as the Fulani pastoralist 

groups of West African origin. Grazing land drew pastoralist groups, while the 

possibility of developing large-scale agricultural schemes attracted investments 

from non-indigenous elites and, in more recent times, other countries (Claudio, 

2013).The conflict in Blue Nile State till earlier 2020 was purely political conflict 

between Sudan Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North 

(SPLM-N). Conflict dramatically changed to inter communal conflict when SPLM-

N signed Juba Peace agreement among Sudanese Revolutionary group with 

Sudan government. SPLM-N become a part of local conflict by supporting 

Hausa tribes against indigenous groups. This quite evidence that most inter 

communal conflict created and supported by struggle over political conflict 

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parties for their own interest and this applicable to most of peripheral areas 

including Darfur and South Kordofan..  

Earlier of 2023 the Blue NileState witnessed prolong tribal conflicts which 

indicates grate correlation between conflict over political power and social 

conflict represented by ethnic and tribal conflicts. The inter-communal clashes 

erupted in Blue Nile State due to the indigenous tribe’s rejection to establish a 

tribal chiefdom for the Hausa. This structure, which would be sanctioned by the 

regional authority, would enable them to have their own territory in the region 

and enhance their economic and political influence. 

d- Political Conflict of April 2023 

Following former President al-Bashir’s deposition in 2019, a power-sharing 

compromise between military and civilian leaders led to the formation of a 

transitional government.  

In December 2022, civilian leaders and the military signed a ‘framework 

agreement’ to create a new two-year civilian transitional authority. The 

agreement establishes accountability for crimes under international law as a 

general principle, and tasks the transitional authority to launch a new process 

aimed at providing justice to victims and holding perpetrators of serious crimes 

to account. Sudanese authorities must also ensure that those responsible for 

these crimes cannot benefit from immunities, nor amnesties. 

As the escalation in violence between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the 

Rapid Support Forces (RSF) spreads throughout Sudan, civilians in Darfur 

continue to suffer due to the country’s authority’s failure to provide security, and 

their inability to deliver justice and accountability for war crimes and other 

violations 20 years after the Darfur conflict began, Amnesty International said 

today. In recent days, civilians have again been killed due to heavy weapons 

being used in densely-populated areas. It is shocking that 20 years after the 

Darfur conflict began, similarly continues conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue 

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Niles states, the Sudanese authorities are still failing to protect civilians or to 

investigate and prosecute those allegedly responsible for crimes committed 

during the conflict. Civilians in Sudan are caught in unending cycles of 

indiscriminate armed attacks, as well as other serious crimes and abuses 

(Amnesty International, 2022). Subsequently, the deadly war between Sudan 

armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has a serious implications on the 

unity of Sudanese as one nation in one country, not only national integration. 

Dynamics of Conflict Affecting National Integration 

1- Political Communalism: One of the biggest threats to national integration 

is the narrow mind-set that prevails over old political identities. Sudanese 

are primarily held captive by various political communal identities due to 

politics such as traditional ideological political parties, ethnic and tribal 

affiliation and native administration system. Even at administration level, 

several of states and localities were created based on political loyalties. 

The distinctions between people on the basis of political ideology, 

ethnicity and tribalism stimulate community based tension and leadto 

inter-communal confrontations break out as well as feeding national 

disintegration process. 

2- Politicization of Ethnic and Tribal Diversity: Sudan is made up of 

numerous varied ethnic and tribal groups, and as a result, the country’s 

variety offers a hidden threat to its unity. Ethnic and tribal diversity, 

cultural and language divisions in Sudanese society have existed for a 

very long time. These were used by British colony administered and 

controlled the country, but later after independence the national political 

elites miss-used the Sudanese multi-dimensional diversity, and this 

consider one of the numerous dynamics driving sociopolitical conflict. 

3- Inequality in a National Resources Distribution: Economic inequality 

coexists with social diversity in Sudan. The majority of the poor are 

finding it more and harder to make ends meet, while the few wealthy 

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people are getting richer. While the concept of redistribution of resources 

which reflect the dilemma of imbalance development programs as well as 

social injustice and deprivation which contributed negatively on raising 

and continuation of marginalization and conflicts in many parts of Sudan 

since earlier of 1960s and upto-date ( Mohammed, 2023). There is 

growing hostility between the rich and the poor as a result of this wealth 

disparity. The feelings of national integration cannot flourish in the 

absence of all this fraternity and harmony. 

4- Cultural Distinctions: Cultural differences can occasionally significantly 

impede national integration. It is already evident in the divisions between 

the northern and southern Sudan, which frequently lead to interpersonal 

conflict and hostility since earlier of independence and finally separation 

of South Sudan as independent country in 2011. That is clear evidence 

that cultural diversity was miss-used causing unrest and cultural 

dominants. The debate of cultural exclusion and deprivation by some 

northern and central dominants cultural has raised earlier among political 

elites and regional movements with the line of political and economic 

marginalization discourse. Ferguson, 2008). Considering Ferguson’s(2008) 

explanation of promoting social integration requirements, Mohammed 

(2023) described in case of Sudan, that many ethnic and tribal groups 

complained that cultural dominance by few entities in different ways. 

Cultural devaluation leads to discrimination and inequality when negative 

ideas about groups become institutionalized, or embedded in accepted 

social, political and economic norms, official practices, policies and 

legislation. These institutionalized systems of rules and norms, or rights 

regimes, allocate different and unequal rights to particular social groups 

(Moser and Norton 2001). 

Conclusion 

The paper concluded that Sudan has witnessed prolong history of civil wars, 

struggle over political power and inter communal conflicts. These conflicts are 

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interlinked with the dilemma of marginalization and center via peripheral areas 

conflict. Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states are most affected 

peripheral areas by sociopolitical conflicts. The national integration, unity, 

stability and peaceful coexistence cannot be achieved in an environment where 

some groups believes that they are different and even they super from others 

in terms of ethnicity, tribalism, social and cultural dominance. The major 

dynamics that promote the conflict and undermine national integration includes 

politicization of ethnicity and tribalism, political communalism, inequality in a 

national resources distribution, cultural distinctions as well as some national 

institutions contributed to national disintegration of the country since 

independence up to date. The unfair relationship between the states of the 

Sudanese periphery such as ( South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Darfur)and the 

‘center’ has been evident in terms of development and wealth-sharing as well 

as in the central government’s attempt to impose a unique Sudanese identity 

and the ruling elites unwillingness to recognize and peacefully manage diversity. 

These factors persuaded the SPLM to cross the boundary from Southern 

Sudan into Blue Nile (Claudio, 2013). The socio-economic, political, and cultural 

roots of the conflicts are among the most apparent commonalities, with respect 

to not only South Kordofan and Blue Nile, but also other Sudanese peripheral 

states. Arising tribal and ethnic violence and increasing menace to people, 

mainly scared violence in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan led to death of 

many people as well coercive internally displaced people. The evidence on 

ground indicating that, the temporary solutions will not be sustained, unless 

effective resolve of root causes of conflicts been addressed. With the same line 

Abdulgadir (2015) noted that poverty prevalence is high in conflict-affected 

states, bringing the national average of people living below the poverty line to 

46.6%. 2 Conflict-ridden states are considered the poorest in Sudan, where the 

percentages of people living below the poverty line are 69.5% in North Darfur, 

56.6% in Blue Nile, 61.2% in South Darfur, 55.6% in West Darfur and 60% in 

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South Kordofan. Conflicts in Sudan cause losses of cohesion and integration of 

society, affect people’s interrelationships and ignites tribal conflicts. Conflicts 

have also created hatred, stimulated revenge and caused a lot of misery to 

people in Darfur. Conflicts have also affected economic development as they 

have destroyed infrastructure and natural resources, prevented investments and 

interrupted trade. Therefore, solving one or two of these conflicts will not be 

sufficient to solve other peripheral areas problems. 

 

 

References 

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