May 16-18, 2008
hosted at:
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Call for Papers
Theme: "Sudan's Wars and Peace Agreements"

REGISTRATION FORM

ACCOMODATION

The next few years will be decisive for Sudan's future as it resolves its protracted conflicts. Currently two peace agreements are being implemented: the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA). The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) is incomplete although partially being implemented. It is hoped that by the time of the holding of the 27th SSA Annual Conference, there will be a comprehensive peace agreement in Darfur.

Will the signing of these peace agreements lead to the end of the over half a century period of protracted conflicts in Sudan? Do the agreements address the root causes of the Sudanese problem? What are these root causes of the problem - cultural, historical, economic, political, environmental, ethnic, etc.?

How are these agreements being implemented? What is the state of the implementation of the human rights provisions enshrined in the various agreements? Does the implementation of the various peace agreements lead to the creation of the New Sudan, now common in Sudanese political vocabulary?

What exactly are the fundamental features of the New Sudan? What are the consequences of non-compliance with the terms of the peace agreements? Should the referendum at the end of the CPA end in separation? What are the implications for the new separate countries, border communities, etc.? What areas of cooperation should the separate countries pursue as neighbors? How will reconciliation among neighbors, who have been pitted against one another, be promoted in Darfur after the war and the resettlement of the victims of war in their original villages? What are the roles of the intra-Darfurian Dialogue, intra-Southern Dialogue, and other talks aimed at promoting reconciliation at various levels of society?

How will the marginalized majority in rural Eastern Sudan avoid continued under-representation given the preponderant political domination of the rich in Gadarif, Kassala, Khashim al Girba, and Port Sudan; and the alliance of the rich in the East with the Khartoum establishment? Does the implementation of the various peace agreements simultaneously lead to the transformation of the central power in Khartoum? What is the role of major and regional powers in the Sudanese conflicts and their resolution?

What about the conflicts over the construction of dams at Meroe and Kajbar? What are the expected national and local benefits of these projects? How much were locals involved in the planning of the projects before their implementation? In addition to the new dams, other controversial major projects in Sudan, with questionable impacts on the locals, include the mechanized schemes (Damazin, Gadarif, and Habila), Roseires Dam, Khashim al Girba Scheme, Jonglei Canal, the oilfield areas among others.

Proposals:

The tradition of the SSA conference is to give priority in timing and prominence of presentation to papers that address the theme of the conference, but papers on other issues relating to Sudan are also welcome.

Abstracts of proposed papers (150-200 words) should be sent by February 1, 2008 to Dr. Stephanie Beswick, 2008 SSA Panel Organizer, Department of History, #212 Burkhardt Hall, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA 47304, Tel. (765) 285-8700, e-mail: sfbeswick@bsu.edu A preliminary program will be announced on March 15, 2008. Late proposals for papers will be considered only if space is available. Proposals and paper abstracts submitted earlier will receive preferential treatment in scheduling. Acceptance for presentation will depend on the quality of the abstract and the judgment of the program committee. Small stipends of $200 are available for assistance to a limited number of graduate students and interested persons should contact SSA President Dr. B. Yongo-Bure, Kettering University: byongo@kettering.edu

Registration forms and fees are available at the SSA website and should be sent to Dr. Richard Lobban, Executive Director, Sudan Studies Association, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI 02908.

The Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee is Dr. Peter Garretson, Florida State University, Tallahassee; pgarret@mailer.fsu.edu