---

Profile of Sudan

Population: 40,187,486
Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Capital: Khartoum

Brief History
Sudan became independent from the UK in 1956. Since then military Islamic-oriented governments have dominated politics and Sudan has been involved in a civil war. The war is rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. The war and war- and famine-related problems have resulted in more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people displaced since 1983. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-03 with the signing of several accords, including a cease-fire agreement.

Today
Sudan has implemented some economic policies and infrastructure investments, but still has daunting economic problems, starting from its low level of per capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones help sustain growth. Agriculture production is still the most important sector, employing 80% of the work force. However, most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought.

Chronic instability - including the ongoing civil war between the Muslim north and the Christian/pagan south, adverse weather and weak world agricultural prices contribute to the widespread poverty experienced by most of the population.