Sudan was once the largest and most geographically diverse country in Africa. However, in 2011 South Sudan successfully achieved independence and seceded from Sudan. This was due to a long-standing conflict between the Christian and Islamic sectors in Sudan, and when the government tried to impose Muslim laws on the entire nation the southern armies rebelled.
Unfortunately, the conflict didn't really end after the peace treaty was signed. There is still tension over several secession issues - like the sharing of oil revenues and the border differentiation. The war crimes of the northern states (South Kordofan and Blue Nile) during the Sudanese Civil War is still unresolved, and the provisions stated in the 2005 Conprehensive Peace Agreement has not been entirely carried out. In addition to all this, there has been recent strain between Sudan and Chad - both countries have accused each other of attacks across the border. |
Despite all this, Sudan still has a bright future. It has large areas of cultivatable land full of natural resources, especially oil, gold, and cotton. If it can reach peace eventually, it will reap huge economic benefits.