What caused the first Sudanese civil war?

The first Sudanese civil war, which lasted from 1955 to 1972, was primarily caused by tensions between the northern and southern regions of Sudan. The north, predominantly Arab and Muslim, sought to impose its culture and Islamic laws on the largely Christian and animist south, leading to resentment and resistance. Additionally, economic disparities and political marginalization of the south further fueled the conflict, culminating in a violent struggle for autonomy and recognition.