"Sudan: A Ravaged Country" a Sudan Travel Page by kucha

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My residence in the country

Introduction

Who in their right mind would go to Sudan -- the largest country in Africa -- in August when the temperature was 45 degrees centigrade? Moreover, what kind of person would actually fight with local officials to get a pass to board a local bus and ride for more than 10 hours to reach a small village in the middle of nowhere by the name of Um Rawaba? Oh yes, and there was that nasty hijacking experience on the bus...

I did all this and returned to tell the tale.

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The Nile River

The best thing about Sudan -- and Khartoum in particular -- is the beautiful Nile River -- specifically, it is home to all but one of the Nile cataracts and the 6th is within a short drive from Khartoum.

Indeed, the river is picturesque, historic and blissfully cooler in the heat of the summer, than the rest of the city.

I also really enjoyed the people of Sudan and, other than the hijacking, never felt in harm's way. This was a few years ago, however, and I know it has become much more dangerous.

All those planning on a trip to this country should read up as much as possible and be prepared for the worst, then pleasantly surprised if all that happens is an eye-opening trip to a lesser-known African country.

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Kids in Um Rawaba

A Tragic Past and a Tragic Present

Sudan has known only eleven years of peace since its independence in 1956. Early in 2005, the signing of a peace agreement by the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement "officially" ended the civil war that ravaged the country for more than 45 years. Still, as witnessed in Darfour, the bloodshed and tragedy continues.

The recent crisis started in February 2003, when two rebel groups rose up against the government of Sudan, claiming they were treated unjustly over land and resources. The Sudanese government responded by arming local militias, and supporting an effort to systematically attack communities linked to the rebels. The results were brutal—villages were torched, women were raped and millions of people still live in camps set up for the displaced.

Three years after the conflict began, thousands of people continue to die each month from malnutrition, disease and insecurity. In addition, local militias called Janjaweed—or armed men on horseback—recently resumed assaults, and even African Union troops patrolling the area to monitor a formal ceasefire have been attacked and killed. Insecurity throughout the huge region, roughly the size of Texas, has forced some humanitarian operations to be curtailed.

This is a real tragedy -- one that affects mothers, father and children. It is also one that will -- assuming it is resolved in the near future -- leave a lasting existential scar for generations to come.