ABSTRACT
Sudan has a long history of intercommunal disputes over land, water, gold and other resources, often pitting nomadic herders against sedentary farmers. The Sudanese armed forces are composed of a regular army, a navy and an air force. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation also produces rockets, heavy artillery, machine guns and light weapons. The Sudanese armed forces’ main objective is to suppress regional insurgencies and to maintain the regime of Bashir’s National Congress Party, which has been in office since 1989. Operating in Jebel Marra, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army–Abdel Wahid comprises around 1,000 fighters who are skilled at guerrilla tactics in mountainous areas. Originally based in South and East Darfur states, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army–Minni Minnawi is also present in South Kordofan State through its involvement in the Sudan Revolutionary Front. Omar al-Bashir firmly controls Sudan’s political system, having been in office since a military coup in 1989.
