Critical Analysis of the Persistence of Human Rights Violations in South Sudan (1989-2005)

Abstract

Sudan is the largest African country neighboring nine countries. Its expanse implies that any conflict within the Sudan is likely to have contagion effect on its nine neighboring countries. The Sudan is a multiracial, multicultural, multilingual, multi-religious, and multiethnic country whose predominantly Christian South has had protracted human rights violations by both the Khartoum government and the SPLM/A. At least each neighboring state has felt the cross-border effects of human rights violations in South Sudan. The country has Arabs and non-Arabs in the North and the African peoples in the South, all contesting for the soul of the nation. The predominantly Christian South has always been governed by the Arab/Islamic elites of the North since independence guided by Islamic laws and with the mentality that Southerners are inferior. There has been protracted struggle by the people of South Sudan for basic needs such as security, recognition, acceptance, fair access to political institutions economic participation among others. Negotiations have been made from time to time and yet diverse oppression and discrimination prevails. One is left to wonder as to why the practice is not coming to an end. For the purpose of this research, special attention will be given to the 1989-2005 period, that is from the year President Omar El Bashir took over up to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This research task examines various policies and practices which prevent human rights norms from being employed in the protection of human dignity in South Sudan.