Sudan is the largest country in Africa, with a population of 27 million people.

Three hundred different tribes speak more than a hundred languages and dialects. The country has only had brief periods of peace since its independence in 1955.

For the past fifteen years civil war has torn this country apart. This high intensity conflict, which has witnessed atrocities on both sides and in which 1.3 million people have lost their lives, while 4 million others have been displaced, has its roots in a search for identity.

The two main protagonists are the Arab ruling Muslims in the north and the Christians in the south. It is also about gaining effective control over natural resources, in the south and central regions.

The conflict is at its worst in the Nuba mountains, where Government forces are extracting oil to pay for arms imports. The people of this region are forced from their land into camps, families are separated, women are raped and abused and children dragged into domestic slavery, or forced into the army.

The liberation army in the south is also engaged in inhuman practices, including diversion of food supplies, execution and torture.

Bahr El Ghazal, Aweil East, Nonji, Ajiep and Yirol county are among the hardest hit areas in the conflict.

Apart from disruption to normal life due to war, famine is now a result of two consecutive years of crop failure, followed by torrential rain and the country is facing economic collapse.

There are many relief agencies operating in Sudan, including OXFAM, GOAL and CONCERN from Ireland but the U.N. is conducting the largest humanitarian aid programme with it’s ‘Operation Life Line Sudan’.

2.48 million people are facing severe hunger but a total 700 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. 10,000 metric tonnes of food per month is required but this target can not always be met as relief efforts are hampered by a poor infrastructure, insufficient aid and an occasional Government ban on relief flights.

The U.N. uses a combination of airlifts, airdrops, trains and truck convoys. CONCERN also has an extensive operation, with frequent air lifts from Lokichoggio airfield on the border of Sudan. They provide food and essential supplies, such as blankets, shelter, fishing materials and seeds for growing crops.

The task of relief is far from complete. Malnutrition among children combined with a high mortality rate is perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of the conflict.

Other hazards include 3 million land mines. As many as 50,000 people have been victims of these and many await rehabilitation.

In order to contain the conflict and famine, a peace settlement with an arms embargo is required. For this to take place, international support is necessary.

The Organization Of African Unity is seen as a key player in this process. Co-operation from the various fighting factions is also essential.

There is no U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan. To implement such a force requires a majority vote from the U.N. Security Council.

Human Rights Watch has detailed a report on imports of arms into Sudan, for which billions of dollars have been paid. These have come from the former Soviet Republics, China and Malaysia. Iran and Iraq supply military advisors to Government forces.

The neighbouring states of Uganda, Eritrea and Ethiopia supply arms to the rebels and wish to see the Khartoum Government toppled. The conflict could overspill its borders,extending the war to a greater part of Africa.

The E.U. has imposed an effective arms embargo on Sudan and in September 1998 proposed a resolution to end the conflict.

If the war could be brought to an end full recovery from the famine could take up to three years.

The above photographs were taken in Southern Sudan during August of 1998 by Liam Burke of Press 22.