Contributor(s): Professor Alex de Waal | After achieving independence from Britain and Egypt in 1952, Sudan endured two bitter and extended civil wars which finally ended in 2005. When, in 2011, South Sudan seceded to become a sovereign territory, there was hope that peace would finally come to the region. However, as of May 2012, conflict in the region continues. Professor Alex de Waal of Tufts University explains some of the reasons why, for now, peace in the region remains elusive.