The politics of famine in Sudan: The case of Dar Hamid and Dar Hamar

This study is about famine in Sudan. The study has sought to explain famine in Sudan
in political terms. It presents a critique o f conventional famine theory which
emphasises the primacy o f natural causes such as drought. The study recounts the
conditions which generate recurrent famines in Sudan in recent history, highlighting
domestic and international determinants. It examines five major theories o f famine,
giving a critique o f each o f the theories examined. The theoretical appraisal reveals the
inadequacy o f famine theory which we argue is partly responsible for the persistence o f
famine in Sudan and elsewhere. This study has aimed to contribute to a better
understanding o f the phenomenon of famine with a view towards eliminating it. It
offers the view that famine can only be understood in a broad historical context which
brings out the evolution o f economic and political relations within the Sudanese
society, and its subordination to the international market economy which determines
differential access to resources including food for different social groups such as
renders some groups vulnerable to famine, while others escape and may even "benefit"
from it. The study depicts two rural communities from Kordofan who were unduly
affected by the recent famines; and a field-work study has been carried out to trace the
historical processes underpinning their political marginalisation and economic
exploitation which we consider to be responsible for their vulnerability to famine.
These processes are accounted for on three levels: on a macro-level, considering
internal and external constraints influencing state policies; on a regional level, and on a
micro-village and household levels. Such an account is necessary for a better
understanding o f famine since conventional famine theory has largely focused analysis
on macro-level policies, ignoring what takes place among the rural village communities
who actually experience famine. The study shows the interconnectedness o f processes
on the three levels. The conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that famine
becomes endemic among the poor and powerless groups. "Empowering" the rural
populations would be the single most important action towards eliminating famine in
Sudan, and elsewhere. However, "empowerment" o f the local communities would be
o f little benefit to them unless the international economic system recognises the welfare
o f such groups.