Definition
A chronological overview of notable political, economic, social, and security events that occurred within the Republic of Sudan during the calendar year 2017.
Overview
In 2017, Sudan remained under the authoritarian rule of President Omar al‑Bashir, who had governed since 1989. The year was marked by continued economic hardship, widespread public discontent over rising commodity prices, and ongoing low‑intensity conflicts in the western Darfur region, as well as in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile states. Sudan maintained membership in regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the Arab League, and its foreign relations were dominated by negotiations with South Sudan over oil transit fees and by attempts to improve ties with the United States and European nations regarding terrorism‑related sanctions.
Etymology / Origin
The phrase “2017 in Sudan” follows the standard chronological format used in encyclopedic entries to denote a summary of a nation’s events within a specific year. It combines the Gregorian calendar year “2017” with the country name “Sudan” to specify the temporal and geographic scope of the content.
Characteristics
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Political climate
- President Omar al‑Bashir retained executive power; the National Congress Party (NCP) continued to dominate the National Assembly.
- Human rights organizations reported ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and the press, with several journalists and activists detained.
- Parliamentary elections were not scheduled for 2017; the next scheduled elections were postponed repeatedly, contributing to political stagnation.
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Economic situation
- Sudan’s economy suffered from high inflation, which the Central Bank of Sudan reported at roughly 60 % in 2017, driven by fiscal deficits and the loss of oil revenue following the secession of South Sudan in 2011.
- Subsidy reforms implemented in 2017 led to increases in the prices of fuel and bread, provoking public protests in major cities such as Khartoum and Omdurman.
- The government pursued measures to diversify exports, emphasizing gold mining and agricultural products, while seeking foreign investment to mitigate the effects of international sanctions.
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Social unrest
- Multiple demonstrations occurred throughout the year, notably in May and July 2017, when citizens protested against the cost of living and alleged government corruption.
- Security forces responded with crowd‑control measures, resulting in arrests and reports of injuries among protestors.
- Labor unions organized strikes in the textile and mining sectors over wage disputes and working conditions.
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Security and conflict
- Low‑intensity armed conflict persisted in Darfur, with clashes reported between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and various rebel factions, including the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
- In the eastern provinces, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement‑North (SPLM‑N) continued sporadic engagements with government forces, though a formal ceasefire was not reached in 2017.
- The United Nations‑African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) remained active, reporting incidents of civilian displacement and humanitarian needs.
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International relations
- Sudan engaged in diplomatic negotiations with South Sudan concerning the transit of oil through Sudanese pipelines, aiming to resolve tariff disputes that affected both economies.
- The United States continued to list Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism; however, diplomatic overtures in late 2017 signaled the beginning of a gradual policy reassessment that later culminated in Sudan’s removal from the list in 2020.
- Sudan participated in the African Union’s initiatives on peace and security, contributing troops to AU‑led missions in Somalia and the Central African Republic.
Related Topics
- Omar al‑Bashir regime
- Sudanese economy and inflation (2010s)
- Darfur conflict
- Sudan–South Sudan relations
- 2019 Sudanese Revolution
- United Nations‑African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
- State Sponsors of Terrorism (United States)
All information presented is derived from publicly available reports and reputable news sources from 2017. Where precise data are unavailable, the entry notes the limitation.