Facts and impact of oil on Sudanese domestic and Intl relations

Since its independence of Britain and separation from Egypt in 1956, Sudan has enjoyed only 11 years of relative stability and peace. The oil discoveries in Sudan, in the late 1970’s have additionally aggravated the political and economic situation in Sudan. The oil discoveries played a pivotal role in igniting the second civil war in 1983 and complicated the possibilities for peace between the south and north as it became the central objective for the fighting parties. This paper investigates the impact of oil on the internal situation in Sudan as well as its impact on Sudan’s international relations. The paper will focus on the role of the main two foreign actors whose policies were and still are very influential within Sudan; China and the United States.

The paper argues that oil has had a catastrophic impact on Sudan.
It played a key role in igniting the second civil war in 1983 and complicated the possibilities for peace between the south and north as control over it became the central issue for a settlement of the conflict. The civil war made Sudan vulnerable. Internally it depleted the economy and any prospect for development. In addition it rendered Sudan vulnerable to external imperialist aggressive policies. The civil war and The United States imperialist aggressive policies aimed at controlling Sudan’s natural resource (mainly oil), in fact has put the country on the verge of collapse as a state.

Sudan Tribune