Training

In theory, all children in Sudan should receive free, compulsory compulsory education for eight years from the age of six. The UN agency, however, estimated in 2017 that only six out of ten children started school. In addition, the dropouts are many. Almost half of the students go on to secondary school.

It is mainly children in the countryside who do not attend school. Particularly high is the proportion of children from nomadic ethnic groups. The same applies to children growing up in conflict-affected areas.

• COUNTRYAAH: Country facts of Sudan, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.

In the public schools, the quality of education is low. State grants to schools are insufficient. The government is making certain efforts to raise the level of education in the country and special support is directed to girls and children belonging to nomadic people. In the past, fewer girls than boys attended school, but that difference has diminished.

There are no separate statistics for the Darfur region, where an armed conflict and mass displacement of civilians have hit the school system, among other things.

Although schooling is to be free of charge, parents often have to pay for school uniforms and teaching materials and sometimes also teachers’ salaries. During the economic crisis at the end of the 2010 ceiling, the dropouts among the children increased.

There is a large shortage of educated teachers, and those who are there are often attracted by more attractive jobs in Arab countries.

Elementary school is followed by a three-year high school. Sudan has several universities, the most important of which is the University of Khartoum. There is also an Islamic university and one for women only.

• Educationvv: Provides school and education information in Sudan, covering middle school, high school and college education.

FACTS – EDUCATION

Proportion of children starting primary school

60.4 percent (2017)

Reading and writing skills

60.7 percent (2018) ¹

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP

10.8 percent (2009)

Public expenditure on education as a percentage of the state budget

10.8 percent (2009)

1. Source: UnescoSources

2017

November

Milil leader in Darfur arrested

November 26th

Struggles erupt in the city of Mustariaha in Northern Darfur between a militia group led by the influential Musa Hilal, formerly close aide to President al-Bashir, and the Rapid Support Force (RSF). The RSF tells media that it lost ten men in the fighting, but that Musa Hilal with three sons and several of his militia have been arrested and taken to Khartoum. The UN has accused Musa Hilal of violating human rights in connection with the war in Darfur.

al-Bashir does not stand for re-election

November 16

President al-Bashir announces that he will step down for the 2020 presidential election and instead support the state of Gezira’s Governor Mohamed Tahir Ayala if he chooses to run for office. The play comes at the same time as US Deputy Foreign Minister John Sullivan visits Sudan. Sullivan says the United States is ready to discuss removing Sudan from the list of states that fund terrorism. Some judges say it is also about increasing al-Bashir’s chances of having the ICC court dismissed.

Exchange rates change and state aid is lowered

November 15

In an attempt to attract foreign investment, after the United States lifted trade sanctions against Sudan, the finance minister decides that the country’s official and unofficial exchange rates should remain the same. At the same time, the state is reducing subsidies on fuel and electricity, also with the aim of attracting investors from abroad.

October

New EU aid package

October 24th

The European Commission decides to provide Sudan with a € 106 million ($ 124 million) aid package after calculating that 4.8 million residents are in urgent need of assistance. EUR 46 million will go to humanitarian aid such as food, nutrition, healthcare, schools, housing and water and sewage. The remaining 60 million will help refugees and the communities that receive them. The UN has appealed for $ 804 million in aid to Sudan, but has so far received only 39 percent of that amount (just over $ 313 million).

First transactions in dollars

October 12

Sudan makes its first US dollar foreign currency transactions after the US imposed financial sanctions on the Khartoum government. The transactions are done with the US and Europe.

The government extends the unilateral ceasefire

October 9

The Sudanese government in Khartoum extends the unilateral ceasefire in the conflict areas of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kurdufan for another two months.

The United States raises most economic sanctions

October 9

The United States is lifting most of the trade and economic sanctions it has directed against Sudan since 1997. The reason for the decision is that Sudan has made progress in the fight against terrorism and that the Sudanese government’s respect for human rights has improved. However, Sudan remains on the US list of countries in the world that sponsor terrorism. In addition, President al-Bashir is still wanted by the International Criminal Court ICC for suspected war crimes. The United States imposed sanctions for Sudan in the mid-1990s to provide a sanctuary for Saudi terrorist leader Usama Bin Ladin.

September

The US cancels the entry ban

September 25

The US Trump administration is lifting the entry ban to the US for citizens from a number of Muslim countries, including Sudan. The ban was introduced to reduce the risk of terrorist acts in the United States (see March 2017). Sudan welcomes the decision.

July

The ceasefire is extended

July 2

President al-Bashir extends the government’s unilateral ceasefire in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kurdufan by almost four months to October 31, 2017.

June

Unamid is greatly reduced

June 29

The UN Security Council unanimously decides to reduce the peacekeeping force Unamid in Darfur by at least 30 percent. It should be done in two phases. In January 2018, the number of soldiers will be reduced from 13,000 to 11,400 and then to 8,735 soldiers by June 2018. The number of police officers will be reduced from today’s 3,150 to 2,888 in January 2018 and thereafter to 2,500 in June 2018. The Sudanese government commented committed to the fact that the reduction in troops is proof that the conflict in Darfur is now finally over, while human rights organizations warned of the risk of violent violence.

May

New government takes office

May 12

Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh presents his new government with Hamed Mannan as Interior Minister and Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi as Finance Minister. The Foreign Minister and the Minister of Defense from the Bashir Government remain in their posts.

Thousands flee the city of Pajok

April 7

More than 6,000 people have, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, relocated Pajok in southern Sudan since government forces began a week ago to attack the city, which is controlled by opponents. 135 people are said to have been killed. The refugees are searching for northern Uganda.

March

Sudanese entry ban to USA

March 7

In a revised presidential decree, US new President Donald Trump decides that citizens from a number of Muslim countries, including Sudan, should not be allowed to enter the United States. The reason for the entry ban is stated to be to increase security in the US by reducing the risk of terrorist acts. Sudan deeply regrets the decision and expresses its “dissatisfaction”.

Prime Minister takes office

March 2

Sudan receives a prime minister for the first time since the 1989 military coup, when al-Bashir took power and the prime minister’s post was abolished. The ruling party NCP appoints former army general Bakri Hassan Saleh to the post. Saleh is close ally to al-Bashir and participated in the coup himself.

January

The ceasefire is extended for six months

January 15

The government decides to extend the ceasefire in Darfur, the Blue Nile and the South Kurdufan for another six months.

The United States raises some sanctions

January 13

The US government is lifting some of the trade and economic sanctions it has directed against Sudan. It has happened since the Khartoum government announced that it will cease the bombing of Darfur and will not give sanctuary to rebel soldiers from South Sudan.