The Economic Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman, North Kordofan, Sudan, (2014-2022)

The Economic Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman, North Kordofan, Sudan, (2014-2022)

Amna Elnour Ahmed¹, Abdelaziz El Amin Elsheikh^2, Elmurtada Mohamedelbashier Abashar³

¹Center for Peace and Development Studies. University of Kordofan, 51111 El Obied, Sudan

²Faculty of Education, University of Kordofan, 51111 El Obied, Sudan.

³Ministry of Production and Economic Resources, North Kordofan State, Sudan.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.915EC0049

Received: 21 May 2025; Accepted: 24 May 2025; Published: 20 June 2025

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to identify the Economic Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman, during (2014-2022), Umrwaba and Elrahad Localities, North Kordofan State, Sudan. The study followed the Integrated Geographical Vision approach, the Social Survey approach and the Historical approach for discussing hypothesis, and questionnaire for collecting primary data, beside references, books, essays, articles and reports for completing information. The study sample is represented by (150) of displaced women from the targeted population. Statistic Package for Social Science Program (SPSS) version 16 is used for data analysis, through using the descriptive statistic tools (tables, figures and percentages). The study has reached different results as following : In the years (2011-2015) witnessed the biggest waves of displacement with (58.6%), due to the intensification of armed conflicts attacks, and the invasion of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Abu korchoula area. Armed conflicts were considered as the main cause of displacement representing more than (80%) among the other reasons. The economic impacts of the armed conflicts on the displaced women can be manifested as : Negative change in agricultural assets before and after displacement , hence (99.3%) of respondents lost their owned lands , beside (96%) of them lost their livestock assets , because families were not able to deport them , or because there were looted by bandits, in addition to negative change in the production means assets , hence (96%) of respondents lost them ,by selling some of assets to meet their livelihood needs , or by looting them by gangs. The study results revealed significant change in the sources of families’ incomes, because more than (70%) lost their main occupations, agriculture and animal husbandry. (96.7%) of respondents were unable to develop new strategies to cope with the new situation of displacement and that referred to many reasons including :Lack of educational qualifications , capital and job opportunities, which representing (68%) , hence the phenomenon of illiteracy among women has had the greatest impact on finding suitable job, because some jobs require reasonable levels of education. The study recommended that, displaced women should be provided with production enterprises, especially in livestock fields (poultry, goats), production means. Capital saving, Capacity building in small businesses, and Establishment of microfinance portfolio to ease the access of the micro financial services, the local, national, and international organizations should intervene to improve women current situation in displacement camps.

Key Words: Armed Conflicts, Displacement, Economic Impacts, North Kordofan, Sudan

INTRODUCTION

Many armed conflicts and wars that have caused death and marriage have overshadowed civilian and harmed them through torture ,rape and forced displacement .By the year 2019 (79.5) million people were forcibly displaced from all over the world , because of armed conflicts , the most on Amnesty International’s record over , and the Arab and African world have suffered the ravages of these armed conflicts that have affected many countries , including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon , Sudan , Yemen , Libya , Somalia, Nigeria, Rwanda ,Ethiopia and others. Sudan has been a powerful share of these conflicts, which have almost no geographical orientation without them: Eastern Sudan, Blue Nile, Darfur, and Southern Kordofan. Despite all the efforts made by governments to contain these conflicts, they have spiraled out of control and have been dismantled thousands of citizens and women have the most powerful burden of this. The Southern Sudan Civil War is the longest –running conflict in Sudan, and the most influential for political, economic, social and other aspects not only in Sudan, but also in neighboring countries (Gazafi .2021).

The Importance of the Study

1. Providing theoretical and practical frameworks on the effects of armed conflicts on displaced women.
2. The study area is an example of many areas affected by armed conflicts and their impacts on displaced women.
3. Attempting to fill the vast void in research and field studies relating to the impact of armed conflicts on displaced women.

The Study Problem

The armed conflicts in Sudan has a number of long-term economic and social effects ,which accumulate over the years of war , destroying the livelihood systems of majority of the population , removing a large sector of the population from the production cycle , disrupting the fundamentals of the local economy and changing its rates . This affects macroeconomic indicators and composition of the country’s GNP. The social impacts of the armed conflicts are many, and the most important one is refugee, in which people left their homeland due to insecurity and lack of basic needs, services and others. Displacement is caused by the same causes, but it is a movement within the country in new communities with different characteristics. The displaced person may settle in their new homes for a period of years, and may settle permanently, as for the people of Southern Sudan, as results of being displaced by armed conflicts in their areas and settling in the localities of Umrwaba and Alrahad and in camps around the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Displacement due to armed conflicts is one of the biggest problems experienced by women through its impact in all aspects of life. Sudan is one of the most African countries that affected with armed conflicts beginning before independence and continuing through the successive political periods of government, and the study area is considered as one of the most indirectly affected areas with armed conflicts. Periods of community displacement varied, (2001-2015) represented (58.8%) representing the highest waves of displacement (SDA.2023).

The Study Questions

 The main question of the study could be phrased as:

1. What are the economic impacts of the armed conflicts in the study area on displaced women?
2. Have displaced women developed new strategies to cope with the new situation of displacement?
3. Can new strategies be proposed, that contribute to addressing the economic impacts of armed

Conflict?

The Objectives of the Study:

The overall objective of the study is to examine armed conflicts and their impacts on displaced women from an economic perspective and to clarify facts about the current situation of displaced women. The sub- objectives including:

1. Identifying the economic impacts and their impacts on displaced women.
2. Evaluation of strategies used to improve the economic situation of displaced women.
3. Attempting to propose new strategies that could help ease the burden on displaced women.

STUDY METHODOLOGY

The study followed the geographical integrated vision approach, the social survey approach and the historical approach for discussing study hypothesis, and used data collection tools through questionnaire that targeted displaced women. The number of questionnaire is 150 from the sample study in Umrwaba and Elrahad localities, North Kordofan State. Data analyzed by using the Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) program, through the descriptive statistic tools (tables, figures, and percentages).

Previous Studies

Musa Shetaiwi study , under the title : The Effects of Wars and Armed Conflicts on the Livelihood of Arab Family, a working paper presented to the Conference of the League of Arab States ,2007.The study showed the war experienced by the Arab citizens at the end of the 19^th century and in the 20^th and 21^st centuries , including: 1949-1976 , the Gulf War 1990 and the occupation of Iraq by the United States of America in 2003, and the dangers of these wars , including the displacement , killing and destruction of infrastructure and the consequent consequences. These include, the health and educational conditions of family and the change in roles in the family especially women. The study showed the severe effects of the wars on family living condition, especially declining income levels and rising rates of unemployment, declining levels of family health and education and their impact on society in general, through human development indicators and other measures. The researcher benefited from the study by standing up on the different negative manifestations of war on the economic, social, health , educational aspects ,and their negative impacts on Arab families’ livelihoods.

Amna Jumaa Khater stydy , under the title : The Effects of the Armed Conflicts on Development and Peace , a case study of South Kordofan State ,unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Sudan University for Technological Science,2012. The study aimed to identify conflicts and their impacts on development in South Kordofan . Conflicts that have been going on for a long time have an impact on development in all aspects, economic, social and human aspects. This study is an attempt to examine the situation of the communities in Southern Sudan before and after the conflict, and the side effects on the region , particularly in terms of the development of the conflicts. South Kordofan State is home to several ethnic groups and tribes (Nuba, Fallata, Daju, Jalaba, Baggara). South Kordofan is one of the richest states in Sudan in all its natural resources and wealth, because it is characterized by fertile lands. The people of South Kordofan were engaged in agriculture , their main occupation before the war , and they were the only people before the war to be self-sufficient in resources, but now, after the long conflict , some of them have been displaced to the neighboring countries , inside the big cities , some of them have moved out of the state to other states , and because of that , they have left their farms behind , and development has need delayed. The study followed the descriptive and analytical approach as well as the historical approach. The study concluded that, development is a strategic way to achieve peace and prosperity, and that conflicts does not create development. The study recommended the publication of new ways of raising cultural awareness among the tribes in Southern Kordofan, and introduction of peace studies as a course to university and to the policies of the accompanying state in all structures. In particular, it is important to highlight the need to provide an analysis of conflicts in the South Kordofan , and to provide a reference for the development early warning programs , that will contribute greatly to preparing for future peace building. The researcher benefited from this study , because it identify and clarify the excellent condition of Southern Kordofan people and the main reasons behind their leaving of homelands , hence the researcher study is dealing with the same group of people after their displacement to the study area.

Second Axis: The Theoretical Framework of the Study

Concept of Conflict

Conflict is defined as a conflict of interest between two or more parties , which leads the parties concerned to fail accepting the current status and trying to find to find alternatives , because groups and people adopt incompatible goals, the term is used for all violent aspects of conflict ,whether war or armed conflict (Abaid.2002), while (Saidi Mugalad.1996) goes away and referred to the use of the term conflict instead of dispute , and defined it comprehensively as : The struggle and its core is struggle of national wills. This conflict results from differences in motives, perceptions, objectives, and aspirations of States and in terms of their resources and capabilities, leading to decisions or policies leading to war or armed conflict.

Types of Conflicts

1. International Armed Conflicts.
2. Non- international Armed Conflicts
3. Internal Armed Conflicts that takes on an international character.

There are many other types of conflicts as:

1. Religious Conflicts
2. Political Conflicts
3. National Conflicts
4. Economic Conflict.

Reasons of Conflicts

According to (Abaid .2002), reasons behind conflicts including:

1. The conflict over natural resources and interests, due to an increase in population and a decrease in production rates.
2. The way of control and distribution of power and wealth.
3. The ideology and religion.
4. Arab identity and social conflicts.
5. Fear, poverty, and a pervasive culture of violence that has flourished, due to military – technological advances, and easy access to weapons.

Theories of Conflicts

The Theory Basic Needs: This theory is based on the assumption that, all human beings have basic needs that, they seek to satisfy , and that conflicts occur ,and are exacerbated when one finds that one’s basic needs cannot be satisfied , and others undermine their fulfillment . Proponents of this theory distinguish between needs and requirements. Basic needs are irreplaceable, including: physical and intangible needs such as, food, housing, health, and all material needs. There are non- material needs such as: freedom, belonging, identity, and justice, according to this theory, conflicts occur when an individual or group feels their need is unsatisfied, so conflict resolution is an approach that seeks to satisfy these needs, and may be an extreme issue. Difficulty when individuals struggle over the same source to satisfy their needs.

Concept of Displacement

The displacement is an internal movement that is accompanied by additional burdens that often fall on vulnerable groups of women, children, and the elderly. Many regions of Sudan have been exposed to civil wars and armed conflicts, for example Darfur in 2003, and the South Sudan wars that lasted for years until the 2005 peace agreement was signed.

Third Axis: The Field Study

Study Community

The study community is represented by displaced women from South Kordofan Sate in displacement camps in Umrwaba and Alrahad localities, North Kordofan State.

Study Methodology

The study followed the geographical integrated vision approach, the social survey approach and the historical approach for discussing study hypothesis.

Data Collection Tools

The data collection tools were used through questionnaire.

Questionnaire Design

Questionnaire were designed after reviewed, and distributed to 150 displaced women in displacement camps in Umrwaba and Alrahad localities, North Kordofan State.

Dates of displacement to the study area

Table (1): Date of displacement to the study area

Source (Field work. 2022)

Table (2) indicates that the periods (2011-2015) and (before 2000) have witnessed the biggest waves of displacement to the study area, hence they represented (58.6% and (24%) respectively, and this due to the intensification of the armed conflict and the invasion of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Abu Korchoula area, the repeated attacks by Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu movement on seamount areas in the state of South Kordofan, according to the respondents.

Reasons behind displacement

Table (2): Reasons behind displacement

Source 🙁 field work. 2023)

Table (2) indicates that, the displacement of targeted communities was mainly due to armed conflicts and its effects on economic, social and political conditions according to respondents.

The Economic Impacts on Displaced Women due to Armed Conflicts

Table (3): Existence of Economic Impacts due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work.2023)

 The study results findings revealed that, all respondents have negatively influenced by the economic impacts due to armed conflicts.

Change in Agricultural Assets due to Armed Conflicts

Table (5): Changing in Agricultural Assets due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work .2023)

The results of the study indicate that, the majority of the families (99.3%) lost their agricultural assets from their lands due to armed conflicts, and left their homeland of origin in search of security, while one of the respondents in Alrahad locality owns area of land about 1-2 acre in the vicinity of the city of Alrahad can be reclaimed.

Change in Livestock Assets due to Armed Conflicts

Table (5): Change in Livestock Assets due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work .2023)

The results of the study indicate that, the majority of the families (96%) lost their livestock assets due to armed conflicts, because families were not able to deport animals, or because they were looted by bandits, the families lost their most important source of income, beside food from animal products according to respondents.

Change in Production Means due to Armed Conflicts

Table (5): Change in Production Means due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work .2023)

The study results indicate that, 96% of respondents lost their production means due to armed conflict , by selling some assets to meet their livelihood needs , or by looting them by gangs, something that worsened their economic situation in the areas to which they departed  to.

Change in Incomes Generating Activities (IGAs) due to Armed Conflict

Table (6): Change in IGAS due to Armed Conflict

Source: (Field work.2023)

The results of the study indicate a significant change in the sources of family income before and after displacement and due to armed conflict. Respondents lost the main sources of income in agriculture and animal husbandry, and were forced to pursue a number of occupations that burdened them and caused illness. These occupations include domestic work for others.

Ability of Displaced Woman to Develop New Strategies to Adapt the New Situation of Displacement

Table (7): Ability of displaced woman to develop new strategies

 Source: (Field work.2023)

The study results indicate that, 96.7% of respondents were not able to develop new strategies to adapt with the new situation of displacement.

Reasons behind the inability of Displaced Woman to Develop New Strategies to Adapt the New Situation of Displacement

Table (8): Reasons behind inability of displaced woman to develop new strategies

Source: (Field work.2023)

The results of the study indicate that, displaced women were unable to develop new strategies to cope with the new situation of displacement for a number of reasons including: lack of capital, lack of job opportunities, in addition to appropriate educational qualifications. The phenomenon of illiteracy among women has had the greatest impact on finding suitable job, because some jobs require a reasonable level of education according to the respondents.

How to Improve Displaced Women Current Situation According to Respondents

Table (9): How to Improve Displaced women Current Situation

Source: (Field work.2023)

The results of the study indicate that, proposals for solutions to improve current situation of displaced women were as follows : Ownership of productive projects of livestock ,especially municipal poultry and goats , which are suitable for their conditions , since they do not require large areas of shelter , they can be fed from the rest of family’s food , contribute to provide table eggs , poultry meat , and dairy for children , and males can be sold to provide household income that can be recycled into other economic activity . The solutions also included: Providing the means of production, capital and capacity building for small businesses.

RESULTS

1. The study results showed that, the periods from (2011-2015) witnessed the biggest waves of displacement of people from South Kordofan State to the study area (Umrwaba and Elrahad localities.
2. The study results revealed that, the main cause of displacement of people from South Kordofan state to Umrwaba and Alrahad localities was the armed conflicts.
3. The armed conflicts in South Kordofan state have had a negative impact on the economic, social and political lives of the displaced people.
4. The negative impacts of armed conflicts on displaced women can be manifested as: The negative change in agricultural and livestock assets, beside the losing of production means, in addition to the biggest change in family’s income generating activities (IGAs) , due to the loss of the main incomes sources namely , agriculture and animal rearing .
5. Displaced women were unable to develop new strategies to adapt with the current displacement situation for many reasons including: Lack of capital, job opportunities, in addition to lack of educational qualifications, hence illiteracy was the main barrier for them.

RECOMMENDATIONS

According to respondents, the study recommendations were as follows:

1. Provision of production enterprises especially in livestock fields (poultry, goats).
2. Provision of production means.
3. Capital saving
4. Capacity building in small businesses.
5. Establishment of microfinance portfolio to ease the access of the micro financial services.
6. The necessity of the interventions from the local , national and international organization .

CONCLUSION

Displacement is one of the most significant and worst effects of armed conflicts. Those affected by armed conflicts leave their homelands to alternative areas searching for security. Displacement become a phenomenon, because for the spreading of civil wars and conflicts , and that requires considerable  and numerous efforts to control them, first of all from the State by addressing the root causes of these conflicts , and from the international and national organizations , in addition to the philanthropists  to providing shelter and decent life for the displaced people .

REFERENCES

1. Amna Jumaa Khater study , The Effects of the Armed Conflicts on Development and Peace , a case study of South Kordofan State ,unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Sudan University for Technological Science,2012.
2. Gazafi Nouri Abdullah , the Economic and Social Impacts of Peace Agreement on War-affected Areas, a case study , South Kordofan State , unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Center for Peace and Development Studies, Kordofan University, 2021.
3. Ismael Saidi Mugalad, International Strategy and Politics, Alnahda Arab House , Beirut,1996.
4. Musa Shetaiwi study , The Effects of Wars and Armed Conflicts on the Livelihood of Arab Family, a working paper presented to the Conference of the League of Arab States ,2007 .
5. Rabie Abdul-Aati Abaid, The Role of African Unity Organization in Conflict Resolution, Arab National House , Cairo,2002.
6. Social Development Administration, North Kordofan State, 2023.