The build up of 2003’s conflict, from an economical perspective
In order to understand how the economical sector of Sudan came to be threatening to Darfur’s region, one has to take a look to the previous century. In fact, Darfur has always been a disadvantaged region of Sudan. Even during the colonial period, only 5% of Sudan ’s total investment used to go to the region. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 17) As soon as Sudan is officially proclaimed independent, in 1956, the Arabic elite fell in power and the peripheral regions became disadvantaged. In addition, Darfur had to face an effortful economical development, due to subsequent dryness that caused famines in the region. (Plaut, 2006, par.3) A rise of anger arrived as the population of Darfur started to feel powerless and significantly disadvantaged compared the northern Islamic part of Sudan. The first rebel movements were meant to claim a redistribution of the economical and political power of Sudan so that they could finally benefit from more means in Darfur. The early 1980’s marked the beginning of the succession of many degrading events for Darfur. It is around this time that Chevron, a transnational American oil company discovered important oil deposits in Sudan. (Lavallée, 2007, par.8) These discoveries were precursory of what was coming next for Sudan, in 1983. That year, the president Al-Nemeiri modified the boundaries of the different regions of the country according to Chevron’s discoveries in order to give an advantage to the Islamic north rather than the Christian South. That year, a civil war started again for the independency of the south and anger started to build up in the West, as Darfur’s population claimed a redistribution of the economical and political power of Sudan so that they could finally benefit from more means in the region. (Quach, 2004, p. 6)
In 1992, the economy of the country is disrupted as Chevron retreats from the country. The Americans judged that the socio-political climate was too dangerous. (Paty, 2006, p. 41) It is only a year after this important event that al-Béchir, the new president, reinforces the efforts put in finding new investors in the oil, in order to defeat Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). (Paty, 2006, p. 41) In 1995, the deal is on. China comes in with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and imposes itself in Sudan’s economy. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, Sudan begins to be more and more interesting for oil companies. This is why, in 1998, a Canadian oil company called Talisman becomes partner with the Asian oil industry and starts to exploits Sudan’s black gold. (Paty, 2006, p. 41)
Simultaneously, with the Chinese industrial and economical boom, a lot of energy is needed in the country. They expect a lot from the northern African soils. Thus, 1999 marks the end of the construction of the Chinese’s pipeline of 1 600 km connecting South Sudan to the red sea. (HSBA, 2007, p.4) This is a turning point for Khartoum’s economy: between 1999 and 2001, the income from the oil exportation increased of 900%. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 46) However, one has to keep in mind that, while these miraculous economical improvements, blood is pouring in the country. This is contradictory, because usually, when a country faces a civil war, its economy drops. How could the opposite have happened in Darfur? What could explain this is that there has been 80% out of the 900% profit increase that went directly to reinforce the military forces of the capital. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 46)
The income coming from the oil exportation allowed Khartoum to buy new weapons to China and Russia, which contributed to the killing of population from the southern and western parts of Sudan that were highly in danger. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 45) As a result, the Sudan ’s international image went down, and important North American and European oil companies were associated to these slaughters. Manifestations, social pressures and nongovernmental organizations were actively denouncing this transnational corporation. As a matter of fact, in 2002, Talisman stops its exploitation and in 2003, European companies quit the country as well. (Lafargue, 2005, par.14) Unfortunately, China and other Asian oil giant companies rebought the abandoned deposits and Sudan ’s atrocities became worst than ever before. The political tension, partly born from these subsequent economical events, transformed Darfur’s region in a military zone.
It’s clear that China had a specific interest in Sudan ’s oil, but how is it related to Darfur’s conflict? This oriental country actually ended giving enormous military support to Sudan ’s elite so that they could defeat Darfur’s rebels. They supplied weapons, tanks, helped in training pilots and much more. Since 2003, China is also using its political influence in the United Nations to lower the potential sanctions and decisions made regarding Sudan ’s situation. (Paty, 2006, p. 43)
In order to understand how the economical sector of Sudan came to be threatening to Darfur’s region, one has to take a look to the previous century. In fact, Darfur has always been a disadvantaged region of Sudan. Even during the colonial period, only 5% of Sudan ’s total investment used to go to the region. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 17) As soon as Sudan is officially proclaimed independent, in 1956, the Arabic elite fell in power and the peripheral regions became disadvantaged. In addition, Darfur had to face an effortful economical development, due to subsequent dryness that caused famines in the region. (Plaut, 2006, par.3) A rise of anger arrived as the population of Darfur started to feel powerless and significantly disadvantaged compared the northern Islamic part of Sudan. The first rebel movements were meant to claim a redistribution of the economical and political power of Sudan so that they could finally benefit from more means in Darfur. The early 1980’s marked the beginning of the succession of many degrading events for Darfur. It is around this time that Chevron, a transnational American oil company discovered important oil deposits in Sudan. (Lavallée, 2007, par.8) These discoveries were precursory of what was coming next for Sudan, in 1983. That year, the president Al-Nemeiri modified the boundaries of the different regions of the country according to Chevron’s discoveries in order to give an advantage to the Islamic north rather than the Christian South. That year, a civil war started again for the independency of the south and anger started to build up in the West, as Darfur’s population claimed a redistribution of the economical and political power of Sudan so that they could finally benefit from more means in the region. (Quach, 2004, p. 6)
In 1992, the economy of the country is disrupted as Chevron retreats from the country. The Americans judged that the socio-political climate was too dangerous. (Paty, 2006, p. 41) It is only a year after this important event that al-Béchir, the new president, reinforces the efforts put in finding new investors in the oil, in order to defeat Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). (Paty, 2006, p. 41) In 1995, the deal is on. China comes in with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and imposes itself in Sudan’s economy. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, Sudan begins to be more and more interesting for oil companies. This is why, in 1998, a Canadian oil company called Talisman becomes partner with the Asian oil industry and starts to exploits Sudan’s black gold. (Paty, 2006, p. 41)
Simultaneously, with the Chinese industrial and economical boom, a lot of energy is needed in the country. They expect a lot from the northern African soils. Thus, 1999 marks the end of the construction of the Chinese’s pipeline of 1 600 km connecting South Sudan to the red sea. (HSBA, 2007, p.4) This is a turning point for Khartoum’s economy: between 1999 and 2001, the income from the oil exportation increased of 900%. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 46) However, one has to keep in mind that, while these miraculous economical improvements, blood is pouring in the country. This is contradictory, because usually, when a country faces a civil war, its economy drops. How could the opposite have happened in Darfur? What could explain this is that there has been 80% out of the 900% profit increase that went directly to reinforce the military forces of the capital. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 46)
The income coming from the oil exportation allowed Khartoum to buy new weapons to China and Russia, which contributed to the killing of population from the southern and western parts of Sudan that were highly in danger. (Angsthelm, 2007, par. 45) As a result, the Sudan ’s international image went down, and important North American and European oil companies were associated to these slaughters. Manifestations, social pressures and nongovernmental organizations were actively denouncing this transnational corporation. As a matter of fact, in 2002, Talisman stops its exploitation and in 2003, European companies quit the country as well. (Lafargue, 2005, par.14) Unfortunately, China and other Asian oil giant companies rebought the abandoned deposits and Sudan ’s atrocities became worst than ever before. The political tension, partly born from these subsequent economical events, transformed Darfur’s region in a military zone.
It’s clear that China had a specific interest in Sudan ’s oil, but how is it related to Darfur’s conflict? This oriental country actually ended giving enormous military support to Sudan ’s elite so that they could defeat Darfur’s rebels. They supplied weapons, tanks, helped in training pilots and much more. Since 2003, China is also using its political influence in the United Nations to lower the potential sanctions and decisions made regarding Sudan ’s situation. (Paty, 2006, p. 43)