During the colonial days north and south Sudan were treated differently. The northern part was developed while the southern part was neglected in all areas of human endeavor.
As independence approached, it was decided that the two parts must be kept together. But these were two countries in one and problems emerged resulting in a mutiny in the south in 1955 on the eve of independence.
To the economic and social marginalization was added the policy of Islamizing and Arabizing the south. Christian and political activities were restricted and outlawed respectively. Educated Southerners fled to Uganda and Congo. In 1963 a resistance movement was launched under the name of Sudan National Union (SANU). The armed wing – the Anya-nya was formed as well and a devastating civil war began.
Through the auspices of the Ethiopian government an agreement between the Sudan government and the southern movement was reached in 1972 in which the south was accorded a significant measure of autonomy within a unitary state. The three southern provinces formed one region with legislature and executive branches of government. While Arabic remained the official language of Sudan, southern Sudan would use English as the principal language. Religious freedom and control of education in the south provided safeguards against enforced Arabization. Most of the Anya-nya fighters were integrated into the national army. A special plan would be launched to promote accelerated development in the south. While peace returned to South Sudan following the Agreement, development did not take place.
The Addis Ababa agreement allowed state president to exercise considerable influence in the south in many areas including political affairs, boundary changes and eventual abrogation of the Addis Ababa Agreement as a result of presidential promulgation of Republican Order Number One of June 5, 1983. The president in effect seized control of the south. Arabic replaced English as the official language. The September 1983 laws imposed Sharia law on all the people of Sudan. The redeployment of southern troops in the north led to a mutiny in the south in 1982 that initiated the second civil war between the Sudan government and Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement and Army (SPLM/A) that ended in 2005 after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The Agreement was to make the idea of unity (keeping Sudan one nation) attractive. However, as time passed, the desire for independence or secession of South Sudan gained momentum and South Sudanese voted to secede from Sudan. Whether there were compelling reasons or not South Sudanese got what they wanted. What remains to be seen is whether it will bring sustainable peace, security and development for all the people of South Sudan.
Eric