1998 Sudan famine
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The famine in Sudan in 1998 was a humanitarian disaster caused mainly by human rights abuses, as well as drought and the failure of the international community to react to the famine risk with adequate speed.[1] The worst affected area was Bahr El Ghazal in southwestern Sudan. In this region over 70,000[citation needed] people died[citation needed] during the famine.
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[edit] Causes
The famine was caused almost entirely by human rights abuse and the war in Southern Sudan.[2] Despite the Sudanese government's claims that only the rebel groups were to blame,[3] Human Rights Watch blamed the following groups:[1]
- The government of Sudan
- The Baggara militia
- Sudan People's Liberation Army
- Dinka warlord Kerubino Kuanyin Bol
- The Darfur War
The government and Kuanyin Bol are blamed for their role in destroying the local agriculture during their attempt to take the city of Wau.[4] The SPLA are blamed for their maintenance of slavery and pilfering of aid.[3]
This was worsened by the late arrival of the rainy season[2] and a failure to respond to the situation by the international community.[5]
[edit] Effects
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The effects on the region were massive, with the excess mortality estimated at about 70 000 people.[6] Many more are thought to have been displaced, with over 72 000 people reported as migrating from the threatened rural zones to Wau alone from May 1998 to August 1998.[7] Effects on the country included - indirectly- famine as expenditure was concentrated on the materials of war, ie weaponry, medical supplies etc, rather than the assistance of agriculture and farming. The situation in Darfur was compounded by a lack of strong government intervention, with the Muslim government in the North failing to cooperate with the Christian government in the South.
[edit] Aftermath
A ceasefire was signed on July 15, 1998, some eight months after the Sudanese government had first warned of a possible famine.[5] After numerous extensions, this ceasefire lasted nearly a year, until April 1999. However, the Baggara militia continued to ignore the ceasefire, reducing the ability of aid agencies to help.[8] Thanks to a good crop and this ceasefire, however, the situation was brought under control by the end of 1998.[9] However, the area has remained in trouble and a number of famine warnings have come since the end of 1998.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b Famine In Sudan, 1998 Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ a b Despite aid effort, Sudan famine squeezing life from dozens daily CNN, Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ a b 70 Sudanese dying daily due to famine Arabicnews.com Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ The 1998 Famine In Bahr El Ghazal Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ a b 1998: UN warns of famine in Sudan BBC Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ Famine in the Sudan: Causes, Preparedness and Response Luka Biong Deng, Institute of Development Studies, 1999, accessed August 29 2006]
- ^ Bahr El Ghazal and the Famine of 1998 Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006]
- ^ Cease-fire Brought Relief Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
- ^ Political Complications Boding Ill For Future Relief: The 1998 Famine in Bahr El Ghazal is Brought Under Control Human Rights Watch, Accessed May 25 2006
