The Sudans: Africa's Search for Peace, Democracy, and Two Viable States / Alex de Waal, Willow Berridge, President Thabo Mbeki.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

de Waal, Alex, Author.

Berridge, Willow, Author.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (540 p.)

Place of Publication:

Ithaca, NY Cornell University Press, [2026]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

The Sudans tells the story of the African Union's efforts to make peace in the Sudans during the years 2009 to 2013. It details the work of the AU High-Level Panel, led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, to resolve the war in Darfur, promote democracy in Sudan, steer the independence of South Sudan, and make peace between Sudan and South Sudan. It was Africa's most ambitious peace-making effort. Meticulously documenting every step, Alex de Waal and Willow Berridge show how Mbeki's team handled disputes over borders, resources, and citizenship, and channeled fractious international actors into a consensus. They document the panel's consultative, people-focused strategy in Darfur and its patient, unflagging mediation between north and south. Ultimately, however, the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan squandered opportunities to establish two viable, mutually supporting states, setting both countries on the path toward calamity. Authoritative and clear-eyed, The Sudans pulls back the curtain on this pioneering effort, demonstrating the potential of African-led peacemaking.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Foreword / Thabo Mbeki

Preface and Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Dramatis Personae

Timeline of Main Events and Panel Activities

Part I BACKGROUND AND ISSUES

1. Introduction and Overview

2. Sudan in Africa

Part II DARFUR AND THE SUDANESE CRISIS: 20092010

3. Sudans Crisis in Darfur

4. Democratization

5. Darfur Unresolved

Part III THE PATH TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH SUDAN: 20102011

6. Countdown to the Referendum

7. From the Referendum to the Independence of South Sudan

8. Abyei

9. Averting War Before Independence

10. The Two Areas

11. Nationality and Citizenship

12. Borders

13. Economics and Finance

Part IV POSTSEPARATION CONFLICTS: 20112013

14. The Oil Shutdown Crisis

15. Border Wars

16. A Security Council Mandate

17. Following the AU-UN Roadmap

18. Internal Conflicts, North and South

19. The September Negotiations and Summit

20. Race Between Agreement and Collapse

Part V REFLECTIONS

21. The Panels and the Sudans in Perspective

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

This eBook is made available Open Access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed April 28 2026)

ISBN:

1-5017-8656-3