Marginalisation and violence: Considering origins of insurgency and peace implementation in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan

This research paper analyzes the conflict in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan (1985–2002), attributing the insurgency to systematic marginalisation, inter-ethnic tensions, and national political decay. It highlights the orchestrating role of the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A and urges international pressure on the signatories of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement to ensure stability in South Kordofan.

• The conflict in the Nuba Mountains, spanning 1985 to 2002, was driven by a combination of inter-ethnic tensions between 'African' Nuba communities and 'Arab' Baggara groups, perceived systematic marginalisation, and deteriorating national economic and political conditions that fueled the SPLM/A rebellion.
• The origins of insurgencies in the Nuba Mountains are tied to socio-cultural and political contexts of resource scarcity and disputes, with the war and peace processes being largely orchestrated by external actors, specifically the SPLM/A and the Sudanese government.
• To improve the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and reduce violent conflict in South Kordofan, the international community needs to resume pressure on the agreement's signatories.

APA

Ylönen, A. (n.d.). Marginalisation and violence: Considering origins of insurgency and peace implementation in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/papers/marginalisation-and-violence-considering-origins-of-insurgency-and-peace-implementation-in-the-nuba-mountains-of-sudan

Chicago

Ylönen, Aleksi. Marginalisation and violence: Considering origins of insurgency and peace implementation in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/papers/marginalisation-and-violence-considering-origins-of-insurgency-and-peace-implementation-in-the-nuba-mountains-of-sudan.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ylönen |first1=Aleksi |title=Marginalisation and violence: Considering origins of insurgency and peace implementation in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/papers/marginalisation-and-violence-considering-origins-of-insurgency-and-peace-implementation-in-the-nuba-mountains-of-sudan |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ylnenndmarginalisation, author = {Ylönen, Aleksi}, title = {{Marginalisation and violence: Considering origins of insurgency and peace implementation in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/papers/marginalisation-and-violence-considering-origins-of-insurgency-and-peace-implementation-in-the-nuba-mountains-of-sudan}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }