NATIONAL IDENTITY CRISIS AND CIVIL WARS in 20th CENTURY SUDAN

Abstract

This study addresses the contemporary conflict of National identity in Ex- Sudan between the Islamic Nationalists in the North and secularist Africans in the South. It pinpoints the role of colonial residues in widening the gap between ethnic groups, and the ruling Elite’s assimilationist policies in fueling Civil wars in the area, which led to the Southern secession and to post secession armed conflicts. The Northern ruling Elite adopted a National Constitution based on Sharia (Islamic Law) and proclaimed Arabic the National Language