Sudan

1. Sudan By: CydneyActie

2. Background • Military cater to Islamic governments. • Sudan has faced two major civil wars in the late 1970’s and early 80s, that were both non-Muslim and Arabic related. • The second civil war had a great impact on the country’s population as several million people were displaced and deceased. • Over the last couple of decades, Sudan has encountered much refuge from neighboring countries ,primarily, Ethiopia and Chad.

3. Location, Location, Location! • Sudan is apart of the northern hemisphere of Africa and borders the Red Sea. • Being the largest country in Africa, Sudan is comprised of huge plain areas that borders four main mountains: Red Sea Hills, JabalMarrah, and both Dongotona and Imatong mountains.

4. The People • With a population of around 41 million people: 52% of Sudan’s population is black, 39% is Arabic, 6% is Beja (Arabic deviation), and the final 2% are foreigners. • The life expectancy is roughly 51 years of age. • 80% of the workforce works in agriculture. • 40% of the population is below what is considered poverty. • Common religions in Sudan are Sunni Muslim and several Indigenous beliefs.

5. Major Issues Sudan is facing many issues that direly affects its population such as: • High risk infectious diseases ( Hepatitis A & E, Schistosomaisis, Malaria, etc.) • Refugees • Trafficking of its population • Poverty • Disputing with neighboring countries

6. What’s going on now? • Woman fined $235 for wearing trousers- A Sudanese journalist did not receive a whipping for wearing her trousers, but she was fined 500 Sudanese pounds ($235). Lubina Ahmed al-Hussein would rather go to jail to pay such a ridiculous fine. • Hardliners vote in death-by-stoning for adulterers- Stoning is legal in Sudan and many other countries in the middle east. Legislators of the Muslim Indonesian province have voted that adulterers as well as those of the homosexual persuasion should be sentenced to death by stoning. “ Adultery …offenders can be punished by a minimum of 100 lashes and a maximum of stoning by death.” Also,” behavior considered morally unacceptable, including homosexuality, which will be punishable by public lashings and more than eight years in prison. • Survivors Say ‘Never Again’ to Genocide- Genocide in Darfur, Sudan has cost a reported 400,000 lives and 2.5 million of Sudan’s civilians displaced to neighboring countries; survivors call for much needed resolution.

7. How far has Sudan come? In meeting the Millennium Goals for 2015 presented by the UN, Sudan is slowly progressing. • 70% of its population are now using improved water and have become literate. • About 21% of its population is unnourished Desertification • Drought and Desertification is occurring. • 40% of the population is below what is considered poverty.

8. Bibliography • Www.worldclassflags.com • Http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/126/Ahmad+Sikainga+on+Sudan%2C+A+Musical+History • Http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news/article.cfm?c_id=30&objectid=10597562 • CIA-The Word Fact Book • Www.un.org/millenniumgoals • http://us.oneworld.net/article/362084-survivors-say-never-again-genocide • http://article.wn.com/view/2009/09/07/Woman_fined_235_for_wearing_trousers/