Sudan

capital: Khartoum
population: 35 million

Sudan is Africa's largest country and the tenth largest country in the world. Sudan has been engulfed in civil war for about 37 years, since its independence in 1956. The civil war that erupted in 1983 was propelled by disputes over resources, power, the role of religion in the state and self-determination. In the ensuing 21 year conflict, more than two million people died, four million were uprooted and some 600,000 people sought shelter beyond Sudan's borders as refugees.

End of war
In January 2005 the Government of Sudan and the Sudan's People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLAM/A) ended the war with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). During a six year interim period a Government of National Unity administers the country on a national basis, while a regional Government of Southern Sudan has substantial powers in the South.

Fast growing oilproduction
Sudan's primary resources are agricultural, but oil production and export are taking on greater importance since 1999. Although Sudan has been a producer of oil and gas for a number of years it is considered to be vastly under-explored. The country's oil reserves are estimated at between 600 million and 1.2 billion barrels with recoverable reserves estimated at greater than 800 million barrels. The country is also rich in natural gas with reserves estimated at 3 trillion cubic feet.

Fifth oil producer of Africa
Sudan's oil exports, which have increased sharply since the completion of a major oil-export pipeline in 1999, account for 70 percent of total export revenues. As a result of a major upstream project, producing a second crude oil blend in addition to important field developments elsewhere, Sudan's crude oil production almost doubled by late 2006. Making it Africa's fifth producer with 434.000 barrels per day. The country's oil industry is dominated by Asian companies from China, Malaysia and India, which account for over 90% of Sudan's total output.

Human rights violations
The upstream oil business in Sudan stands out for having been at the centre of warfare and gross human rights violations for many years. The development and control of Southern Sudan's oilfields has been accompanied by gross human rights abuses. Including indiscriminate killing, forced displacement, pillage and arsonand severe environmental destruction, due to cheap and harmful engineering. Despite a peace agreement that was signed in January 2005, peace did not bring an end to the suffering of the inhabitants in the oil-rich areas. If the Sudanese authorities and oil companies want to contribute to a peaceful and prosperous Sudan, they must compensate the people who have suffered because of oil operations. They must assist those who want to return to their land, preserve the environment, stimulate local economic development, train and hire local people, be transparent with its operations and finances, pay no bribes and in general and respect human rights.

Actions
Democratic control over the economy must be strengthened through the empowerment of parliaments and of civil society organisations. Accountable governance can be achieved through financial transparency. International civil society organisations can hold individual companies responsible for their impact through research and publications. We can also team up with the poor and those who fall victim to violence, empower them to defend their cause, and bring their voice to the international arena.