Identity Crisis and Nationalism in Sudan: the Case Study of South Sudan National Movement for Statehood 1983-2005

Abstract

This study explores the origin of Identity Crisis and Nationalism in Sudan, 1983-2005. The study was based on three objectives: Investigate the Anglo-Egyptian policy of separate administration for the Northern and Southern Sudan and the emergence of identity crisis in Sudan. Examine the conflict of identities between Islamic and Christian/African cultures in Sudan and assessed the impact of conflict of identity crisis between Northern and the Southern Sudan. Secondary and primary data were primarily important to carry out study. The secondary sources focused on evaluating the scholarly books, journal articles, reports by private and public institutions whereas the primary sources included newspapers, letters, minutes, and speeches. The study found out that pre-colonial and postcolonial governments in Sudan who immediately took over power from Anglo-Egyptian regime from 1955-1983 had really worked to undermine the spirit of oneness and nation building from the onset of independence of Sudan, which came into effect in 1956.The British policy of Closed Districts Ordinance which was initially meant to protect the identity of the peoples of Southern Sudan from being subjected to Islamisation and Arabisation policy employed by the Northern Sudan was deemed to have created bitter hatred between the North and South.