Ruqayyah Snyder
Since Sudan's independence in 1956, the country has been ravaged by drought, famine, and war. As a result, many Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya, as well as further afield to countries like Australia. Australia has a small Sudanese population, with around 24,000 Sudanese people living in the country as of 2018. Many Sudanese Australians have faced challenges in adjusting to Australian society and culture, including difficulties in obtaining skilled work and navigating cultural differences in areas such as parenting practices. Despite these challenges, some Sudanese Australians have successfully pursued education and career opportunities in Australia, contributing to their new communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for fleeing Sudan | Civil war, drought, famine, and political instability |
| Refugee status | Many Sudanese in Australia are refugees, having fled to neighbouring countries before resettling in Australia |
| Settlement patterns in Australia | Victoria has the largest number of Sudanese migrants, followed by WA and NSW |
| Age demographics | Younger than the general Australian population, with half under the age of 18 |
| Employment challenges | Difficulty obtaining skilled work due to a history of subsistence farming |
| Cultural challenges | Differences in parenting practices and cultural adjustments |
| Community engagement | Active participation in churches, sports clubs, community centres, and media outlets |
| Education and integration initiatives | Family Skills Education Program for African families in Perth and Melbourne |
| Political activism | Participation in protests and calls for democratic reforms in Sudan |
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What You'll Learn
Civil war, drought, famine, and political instability in Sudan
Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has been ravaged by drought, famine, and war. The country has experienced 20 military coup attempts, the most of any African nation, and has been ruled primarily by the military, with only short periods of democratic parliamentary rule. There has been a regular turnover of governments, and frequent disputes between non-Muslim, black African Sudanese and Muslim Arab Sudanese over access to power and resources.
The first civil war in Sudan lasted from 1955 to 1972 and was fought between the central government and the southern regions. The second civil war, from 1983 to 2005, also involved the central government and the southern regions and resulted in the independence of South Sudan in 2011. These two civil wars killed 1.5 million people and displaced millions more. In 2003, the western region of Darfur experienced a full-scale rebellion against the government, which responded with forceful action, leading to the deaths of over 200,000 people and the displacement of two million more.
In December 2018, protests against al-Bashir's regime began the first phase of the Sudanese Revolution. Despite eight months of sustained civil disobedience, the protests were met with violent repression. In April 2019, al-Bashir was ousted in a coup d'état after three decades of rule. However, the Transitional Military Council that took power did not end the violence, and in June 2019, over a hundred demonstrators were killed in the Khartoum massacre.
In April 2023, a new civil war began between two rival factions of the military government of Sudan: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been accused of committing genocide, with many civilians in Darfur reported dead as part of the Masalit massacres. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with nearly 25 million people facing extreme hunger.
In addition to civil war, political instability, conflict, and high prices have driven food insecurity in Sudan. As of November 2021, staple food prices were 60-120% above the previous year and almost five times higher than the five-year average. This has been driven by reduced market supplies, increased demand for imported wheat, delays in harvest due to insecurity, and high production and transportation costs. Political instability and conflict have also resulted in tribal clashes and displacement in parts of Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile State.
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Australia's humanitarian migration stream
Australia has a history of accepting refugees and asylum seekers as part of its humanitarian migration stream. The country has taken in refugees from various parts of the world, including Sudan and its newest nation, South Sudan. The Sudanese population in Australia is relatively small, making up around 0.1% of the total population, with approximately 24,000 South Sudanese people residing in the country as of 2018. Victoria has the largest number of Sudanese and South Sudanese migrants, while Western Australia has a high proportion for its population size.
Sudan has been plagued by political instability, drought, famine, and war since gaining independence in 1956. There has been a frequent power struggle between non-Muslim, black African Sudanese and Muslim Arab Sudanese, resulting in a regular turnover of governments, mostly under military control. The civil war in Sudan has resulted in the displacement of a significant number of South Sudanese people, who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and further afield.
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Difficulty adjusting to Australian society and culture
Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has been ravaged by drought, famine, and war. As a result, many Sudanese people have fled to neighbouring countries, including Australia, in search of safety and a better life. While Australia has settled a small percentage of the total refugee population, there are still challenges faced by the Sudanese community in adjusting to Australian society and culture.
One of the main difficulties for Sudanese refugees in Australia is finding skilled work outside of agriculture due to their history of subsistence farming. Language barriers also play a role, as many Sudanese refugees may not have a high proficiency in English, making it challenging for them to integrate socially and economically.
Cultural differences, particularly in parenting practices and discipline, have also been a source of confusion and frustration for Sudanese-Australian families. Negative media attention and stereotypes, such as the portrayal of "'African gangs'" in Melbourne, have further isolated and stigmatized the Sudanese community, making it harder for them to feel accepted and supported in Australian society.
Additionally, the trauma and experiences of living through conflict and displacement can significantly impact the mental health and well-being of Sudanese refugees. Adjusting to a new culture while also processing these experiences can be challenging and may require specialized support services.
Sudanese refugees in Australia have demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to education and personal development. Many have pursued higher education, engaged in community work, and actively participated in political movements, such as the fight for democracy in Sudan. These individuals strive to create a more inclusive and understanding society, both within Australia and in their country of origin.
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Negative media attention and stereotypes
Sudanese people have been migrating to Australia since at least the 1990s, with the latest available data showing that around 24,000 South Sudanese people are living in Australia. Australia has settled 0.25% of the total global refugee population, with refugees making up 8-10% of the country's migration intake. Sudanese Australians have faced negative media attention and stereotypes, with suggestions of an "African gangs crisis" in Melbourne. These claims have been disputed by Victoria Police, who acknowledge that while young people of African backgrounds are overrepresented in some high-harm crimes, they only represent a small portion of offenders. Despite this, many Sudanese Australians feel that the media attention has damaged their community and reinforced negative stereotypes.
The negative media attention has had a significant impact on the Sudanese community in Australia. Some Sudanese Australians have reported feeling insecure and vulnerable to discrimination due to the portrayal of their community in the media. They feel that they are viewed as "bad refugees" and struggle to adjust to Australian society and culture. Cultural differences, particularly in parenting practices and discipline, have also been a source of confusion and frustration for some Sudanese families, who feel that their cultural practices are not understood or accepted in Australia.
The media's focus on "African gangs" has also affected the perception of Sudanese Australians in the workplace and social settings. One Sudanese Australian father reported that after a media story about "African gangs," his workmates accused him of "creating problems." This negative attention has fueled stereotypes and contributed to a sense of isolation within the community.
Sudanese Australians have also faced challenges in terms of employment and education. Many struggle to obtain skilled work outside of the agricultural industry due to their history of subsistence farming before arriving in Australia. However, some individuals, like Charles Salah, have successfully integrated into Australian society by taking advantage of educational opportunities. Salah completed an English language course and a public health degree, using his knowledge of South Sudanese languages to share important COVID-19 information with the community.
While facing these challenges, Sudanese Australians have actively contributed to their communities and worked to break down stereotypes. Natal Jimma, a South Sudanese refugee in Melbourne, received a scholarship from the Australian Film Television and Radio School and pursued a degree in journalism. He aims to work with Indigenous communities and promote cultural understanding and respect. Gum Mamur, another South Sudanese refugee, works as a youth worker in Melbourne, helping to develop early intervention programs for at-risk youth. These individuals exemplify the resilience and positive impact of Sudanese Australians, despite the negative media attention and stereotypes they confront.
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The impact on Sudanese families and children
Since Sudan's independence in 1956, the country has been ravaged by drought, famine, and war, causing a regular turnover of governments, mostly military-controlled. As a result, many Sudanese people have fled to Australia, with Victoria having the largest number of Sudanese migrants.
The impact of the migration on Sudanese families and children has been significant. Many Sudanese refugees in Australia have spent years in refugee camps in countries like Uganda and Kenya before resettling. They face challenges in adjusting to Australian society and culture, particularly in obtaining skilled work due to their history of subsistence farming. Language barriers and cultural differences, especially in parenting practices, have also been reported. Some Sudanese-Australian parents have expressed frustration with Australia's attitudes towards discipline, feeling confused and helpless about their expectations.
The Sudanese community in Australia has also faced negative stereotypes and been portrayed as 'bad refugees'. There have been suggestions of an 'African gangs crisis' involving young Sudanese people, which has been disputed by police and community members. This negative attention has made the community feel insecure and targeted.
Despite these challenges, some Sudanese refugees in Australia have shared their positive experiences. They emphasize the importance of maintaining their cultural heritage, including traditional foods, and actively contribute to society through education, health, and community work. Some have pursued higher education and engaged in volunteer work, aiming to build a more inclusive and respectful society.
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Frequently asked questions
Sudanese people are migrating to Australia due to the civil war in Sudan, which has displaced a key group of South Sudanese people. Other reasons include drought, famine, and disputes between non-Muslim, black African Sudanese and Muslim Arab Sudanese over access to power and resources.
Sudanese refugees face challenges in adjusting to Australian society and culture, particularly in finding skilled work due to their history of subsistence farming. They also face negative stereotypes and attitudes, with some being portrayed as 'bad refugees' and facing accusations of being in African gangs.
Various support services are available for Sudanese refugees in Australia, including community centres, radio shows, and education programs to help with the transition to Australian society. Some Sudanese refugees have also pursued higher education and worked to support other refugees and Indigenous communities.
