The Sudan Handbook

290 thE sudan handbook

attempted assassination of the Egyptian president in Addis Ababa in June

1995 had brought about a range of international sanctions. The United

States and the European Union pursued contrasting policies on Sudan,

the former more confrontational and the latter tending more towards

constructive engagement. But the public position of the US Government

obscured an area where the GoS was cooperating with the United States –

sharing intelligence for Washington’s post 9/11 counter-terrorism efforts.

The NCP sought international political rehabilitation and normalization

of relations with the United States; the United States sought intelligence

information for its ‘war on terror’.

Darfur put Sudan and Africa on the map for a new American genera-

tion and, in different ways, for the Chinese. The indictment of President

Omar al-Bashir on war crimes and crimes against humanity by the

International Criminal Court attracted further international scrutiny.

By July 2010 UNAMID had 19,555 military personnel from 36 countries,

and 6,432 police from 35 countries and a budget of nearly US$2 billion

(US$1,808,127,500) for the year. Many questioned its impact, however,

as the conflict in Darfur continued. The international attention that

Darfur attracted gave way to the belated realization that sustained, high

profile interest in Darfur had resulted in neglect of the north-south peace

process and the future of the CPA.

Conclusion

The past of the international presence in Sudan has a clear bearing

on the present day. For Sudanese – both those in marginalized rural

areas and those at the centre of power – historical memories play an

important role in reactions to foreign interventions. These interventions

have been characterized by waves of influence in which British, US and

more recently Chinese involvement have made their distinctive marks.

The streets of Khartoum – laid out on a ground plan that reflects the

Union Jack – continues to attest to the formative influence of the British

administration in shaping modern Sudan. The bombed ruins of Al Shifa

The Sudan Handbook, edited by John Ryle, Justin Willis, Suliman Baldo and Jok Madut Jok. © 2011 Rift Valley Institute and contributors factory symbolize the change in America’s position following its former

(www.riftvalley.net).