This document provides a country profile and overview of Sudan. It notes that Sudan has been dominated by Islamic military regimes since independence in 1956 and was embroiled in two civil wars through most of the 20th century. South Sudan gained independence in 2011, though disputes over borders and implementation of agreements remain. Conflicts continue in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile states, and Darfur, displacing over 3 million people. Poverty and unemployment are major issues driving ongoing conflicts. The document recommends that peacekeeping missions continue with a targeted approach and that Sudan diversify its oil-dependent economy through clean energy and private sector development supported by the International Development Association.

1. SUDAN Unlocking financial
opportunities

2. Country profile
•Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated
national politics since independence from Anglo-Egyptian co-rule in
1956. Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of
the remainder of the 20th century.
•South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011. Sudan and South
Sudan have yet to fully implement security and economic agreements
signed in September 2012 relating to the normalization of relations
between the two countries. The final disposition of the contested Abyei
region has also to be decided.
•Since South Sudan's independence, conflict has broken out between
the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North in
Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, which has resulted in 1.2
million internally displaced persons or severely affected persons
needing humanitarian assistance. A separate conflict, which broke out
in the western region of Darfur in 2003, displaced nearly two million
people and caused an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 deaths. Violence
in Darfur in 2013 resulted in an additional estimated 6,000 civilians
killed and 500,000 displaced.
•The UN and the African Union have jointly commanded a Darfur
peacekeeping operation known as the African Union-United Nations
Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) since 2007. Peacekeeping troops
have struggled to stabilize the situation and have increasingly become
targets for attacks by armed groups.
Capital Khartoum
15°38′N 032°32′E
Largest city Omdurman
Official languages •Arabic, English
• Lower house National Assembly
Area
• Total 1,886,068 km
2
(728,21
5 sq mi)
Population
• 2015 estimate 40,235,000
• 2008 census 30,894,000(disputed)
• Density 21.3/km
2
(55.2/sq mi)
GDP (PPP) 2014 estimate
• Total $179.5 billion
• Per capita $4,834
[
GDP (nominal) 2016 estimate
• Total $84.33 billion
• Per capita $4,500

3. MAJOR ISSUES
Military action
•The International Crisis Group (ICG) warns of a
growing risk of war on multiple fronts. "After the end
of the CPA [comprehensive peace agreement, signed
in 2005], rather than negotiate with Sudanese
opposition forces, NCP [the ruling National Congress
party] hardliners have opted for a military solution.
Poverty & Unemployment
•Poverty and severe marginalisation of the
peripheries, combined with poor governance, are at
the centre of continuing conflicts in Sudan.

4. WAY AHEAD
Peacekeeping:
The current missions of UN and African Union need to
continued with a more targeted approach.
Clean Energy:
Sudan is mostly depended on Oil. However it equally
abundant in other renewable sources too. Climate
financing (adaptive and mitigation) should be adopted.
IDA Private Sector Window:
There’s a huge opportunity in the private sector and the
same can be tapped through equity funding by the IDA
PSW.