[3] Despite the Sudanese government's claims that only the rebel groups were to blame, drought also played a significant role.
[4] This was worsened by the late arrival of the rainy season[3] and a failure to respond to the situation by the international community.
[7] Many more are thought to have been displaced, with over 72,000 people reported as migrating from the threatened rural zones to Wau alone from May 1998 to August 1998.
[8] Effects on the country included – indirectly – famine as expenditure was concentrated on the materials of war, i.e. weaponry, medical supplies etc., rather than the assistance of agriculture and farming.
However, the Baggara militia continued to ignore the ceasefire, reducing the ability of aid agencies to help.