Sudan - A Brief History

Sudan is one of the oldest countries in the world, having witnessed the rise of states and kingdoms since thousands of years ago. In this brief overview, we can generally refer to a set of eras and stages:

* Ancient Sudan (6000 BCE – 4000 BCE) * Kingdom of Aksum (? – 2500 BCE) * The Kushite Kingdoms, including Kerma, Napata, and Meroë, then Kush (around 2500 BCE – 350 CE) * The Christian Nubian Kingdoms of the Middle Ages – Makuria, Alodia, Nobatia (350 – 1500 CE) and accompanying kingdoms * The Kingdoms of Sennar, the Beja, and Islamic Darfur (1500 – 1821 CE) * The Egyptian Occupation (Muhammad Ali) and the Mahdist State in Sudan (1821 – 1899 CE) * The Anglo-Egyptian Occupation (1899 – 1956 CE) * National Rule (1956 CE to the present)

Population Composition of the Country

Its population is approximately 45 million people, and there are many different tribal and ethnic groups. Despite all these groups being African in origin, formation, and features, there is a division based primarily on ideology. Some groups consider themselves Arab, referring to the past presence of Arab tribes that entered Sudan centuries ago. They have undoubtedly mixed with the African component in Sudan. This has had a significant impact on Sudanese politics, especially in the last half-century, and was one of the main reasons for the secession of the South and the formation of an independent state.

Affiliation with International Organizations

Sudan belongs to a group of organizations, the most important of which are the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international and regional organizations.