"Gaining independence peacefully from the British in 1956, Sudan, the largest country in Africa, had a large Muslim majority in the north and east (where slavery still existed), and a much smaller black Christian/pagan minority in the south. Refused a federal solution, the black southerners were soon involved in a secret jungle-type struggle, known as the 'grass curtain war', in which the Anya-Nya (snake-poison) guerrillas held out against government forces until 1973, on being granted autonomy, which failed due to incompetence and quarrels."

"In Khartoum, government coups and counter-coups alternated with periods of military dictatorship. In 1983, Sharia law was introduced and attempts were made to force it on the south, causing the civil war to resume. This stalemated struggle continues. In 2000 there have been signs of returning democracy, and a multi--party election has been held, but the reappearance from exile of strong contenders for power does not bode well for the stability of the country."--Jacket.