Events on January 9 in history

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the Government of Sudan sign the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end the Second Sudanese Civil War.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM): A Political Powerhouse in South Sudan

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), known in Arabic as الحركة الشعبية لتحرير السودان (Al-Ḥarakat ash-Shaʿbiyyat liTaḥrīr as-Sūdān), stands as the dominant political party in the Republic of South Sudan. Its origins trace back to 1983, when it was established not merely as a political entity but as the strategic political wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The SPLA itself emerged as a principal armed force during the tumultuous Second Sudanese Civil War, aiming to secure self-determination and address the systematic marginalization of Southern Sudan by the central government.

From Belligerent to Governing Force: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement

A pivotal moment in Sudanese history arrived on January 9, 2005, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the SPLA, the SPLM, and the Government of Sudan in Naivasha, Kenya. This landmark accord formally brought an end to the protracted Second Sudanese Civil War, which had ravaged the region for over two decades. The CPA was not merely a ceasefire; it was a comprehensive framework designed to address the root causes of the conflict. Key provisions included a permanent ceasefire, wealth and power-sharing arrangements, and crucially, a six-year interim period followed by a referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan. Under this agreement, the SPLM gained significant representation within the national Government of Sudan, and concurrently, it became the primary and foundational constituent of the newly established semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, laying the groundwork for future statehood. When South Sudan eventually became a sovereign and independent state on July 9, 2011, the SPLM naturally transitioned into the ruling party of the newly formed republic.

Post-Independence Challenges and Internal Factionalism

The dawn of South Sudanese independence, however, ushered in new political complexities for the SPLM. With the creation of a sovereign state, the SPLM branches that remained within what was now the Republic of Sudan formally separated. These factions coalesced to form the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), advocating for reforms and addressing grievances in regions like South Kordofan and Blue Nile, which had close ties to the former southern movement but remained part of Sudan.

Further, deeply concerning factionalism erupted within the core SPLM leadership in South Sudan itself, culminating in the devastating 2013-2014 South Sudanese Civil War. This internal conflict saw the ruling party bifurcate into warring camps. President Salva Kiir, then the incumbent head of state, led the faction commonly known as SPLM-Juba, while his former Vice President, Riek Machar, headed the opposing Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). This schism significantly destabilized the nascent nation, highlighting deep-seated political rivalries and ethnic tensions that emerged post-independence.

Evolving Ideologies: Beyond the "New Sudan"

The ideological trajectory of the SPLM has been complex and evolving, particularly since South Sudan gained independence. This period marked the effective culmination and, by extension, the strategic end of the "New Sudan" concept. Pioneered by the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding leader of the SPLM/A, the "New Sudan" vision was a transformative ideology that sought to create a united, secular, democratic, and inclusive Sudan, transcending religious and ethnic divisions. With the south's secession, the practical application of this unified vision naturally ceased.

Despite the proliferation of various factions and a lack of consistently applied, singular ideology post-independence, the SPLM has often been characterized as leaning "left of centre" ideologically. This positioning is partly evidenced by its foundational documents, such as Section IV.2 of the party manifesto. This specific section articulates support for a regulated market economy, incorporating elements akin to social democratic principles. Such an economic model typically emphasizes government intervention to ensure social welfare, equitable distribution of wealth, and robust public services, even within a market-driven framework, suggesting a commitment to social justice alongside economic growth.

The Second Sudanese Civil War: A Devastating Conflict

The Second Sudanese Civil War, a protracted and devastating conflict spanning from 1983 to 2005, primarily pitted the central Government of Sudan against the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). This extensive period of hostilities was not an isolated event but rather a significant escalation and continuation of underlying tensions that had previously fueled the First Sudanese Civil War (1955-1972). The conflict initially erupted in Southern Sudan, largely triggered by the Khartoum government's imposition of Sharia law across the nation and its perceived economic and political marginalization of the southern regions. However, the war's destructive reach soon extended beyond the traditional southern borders, engulfing other marginalized areas such as the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile region, where the SPLA also gained support.

Lasting for a staggering 22 years, this conflict stands as one of the longest and most brutal civil wars in recorded history. Its profound impact reverberated throughout the region, culminating in a critical outcome: the independence of South Sudan, which formally became a sovereign state on July 9, 2011, approximately six years after the war's conclusion through the CPA.

Humanitarian Catastrophe and Long-Term Consequences

The human cost of the Second Sudanese Civil War was immense and catastrophic. It is estimated that roughly two million people perished as a direct or indirect consequence of the conflict, succumbing to violence, widespread famine, and disease exacerbated by the disrupted infrastructure and displacement. The civilian death toll from this war ranks among the highest of any conflict globally since the end of World War II, underscoring its extreme severity.

Furthermore, the war triggered a massive displacement crisis, with an estimated four million people in Southern Sudan forced from their homes, often repeatedly, throughout the duration of the hostilities. This widespread displacement led to immense suffering, loss of livelihoods, and social fragmentation. The conflict was also marred by an egregious record of human rights violations perpetrated by all sides, including but not limited to, widespread slavery, mass killings, systematic targeting of civilians, and the deliberate destruction of essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals. These atrocities left an indelible scar on the affected populations and posed significant challenges for post-conflict recovery and nation-building.

Frequently Asked Questions about the SPLM and the Sudanese Civil War

What is the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)?

The SPLM is the ruling political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded in 1983 as the political wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), playing a central role in the struggle for self-determination for Southern Sudan.

When did the Second Sudanese Civil War end?

The Second Sudanese Civil War formally ended on January 9, 2005, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the SPLA/SPLM and the Government of Sudan.

What was the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)?

The CPA was a landmark peace accord signed in 2005 that concluded the Second Sudanese Civil War. It established a framework for peace, including power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and a six-year interim period leading to a referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan.

What happened to the SPLM after South Sudan gained independence?

After South Sudan became an independent state on July 9, 2011, the SPLM became its ruling party. However, branches of the SPLM remaining in Sudan formed the SPLM-North, and significant factionalism within the South Sudanese SPLM led to the 2013-2014 civil war, splitting the party into factions like SPLM-Juba and SPLM-in-Opposition.