POL498H1F L0101
Graduate Course Code: POL2801H1F L0101
Intensive Course
The Rudderless State: Political Crisis and Civil Wars in Sudan
Themes
For decades, many scholars and political observers, within and outside Sudan, viewed the country’s ethnic, cultural, religious and geographic diversity as a microcosm of Africa. Others considered it a “bridge” linking Middle Eastern and African Arabs with black Africa. Unfortunately, Ssuch images have been shattered by the result of the January 2011 Referendum in South Sudan in which 98% voted decidedly in favor of secession and the creation of a new sovereign state. South Sudan’s independence has emboldened calls for self-determination in other Northern war-torn and marginalized communities of Darfur, Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains, Eastern Sudan and the extreme Northern Nubian territories. Khartoum’s dependency on oil exports and neglect of agriculture, industry and other resources raise questions about the economic future of North Sudan The disintegration of Sudan will not stop unless the ruling elite in Khartoum accept to renegotiate with other national actors on how the country should be ruled. However, such development is unlikely in the foreseeable future as President Basher’s main preoccupation, and that of his National Congress Party (NCP), centers on avoiding the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment for crimes against humanity and genocide. Leaked UN documents suggest an additional fifty-one leading ministers and members of the regime as potential accomplices. Under the circumstances power sharing arrangement will weaken NCP’s grip over political power and can have dire personal legal consequences and hence their refusal to negotiate. Worst still, there are serious fears as to whether the state in Northern Sudan can survive without the eighty per cent oil revenue owned by the newly born Republic of South Sudan independence in July 2011. More issues need to be addressed such as: which will accrue to the South with independence. Considering Khartoum’s history of broken promises, will the ruling National Congress Party Will the (NCP) honor the peace agreement it had signed or will it continue fanning the flames of war by financing and arming local militias in the south and elsewhere? Will the NCP be more willing to renegotiate power and wealth sharing arrangements with the remaining regions of the country? Will the NCP be prepared to reconsider its management of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity? Will the breakaway of South Sudan contribute to regional stability and peaceful coexistence between and within the two new soverign states; or, will civil warslinger on, albeit through other means? The course will examine the above questions as well as the processes that prevent Sudan from realizing its economic and political potential; and, concurrently contributed to and aggravate conflicts and other crises. This state of affairs may still continue even after the secession of South Sudan.
Texts
Course requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge of subject matter and active participation in course discussions (25%)
• Presentation on a relevant subject (15%)
• Research essay (3000 words, not including notes and bibliography) (60%)
Course Details
This intensive course is open to ten (10) 4th-year POL undergraduate students (pending Departmental approval) and ten (10) graduate students, including students from the Munk School of Global Affairs. This course counts as a half credit course and comprised of eight (8) three-hour sessions as follows:
Format and Requirements
Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 11, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 12, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 18, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 19, 2012, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.