Chattel slavery has existed in Sudan for hundreds of years. Although abolished during the nineteenth century, it continues today following an upsurge during the second Sudanese civil war (1983-2005). In practice, Sudanese militia and Baggara tribesmen from the north, armed during the war, conduct raids into southern Sudan, capturing and enslaving women and children. In January 2007 Stuart Franklin interviewed and photographed ex-slaves living in the region of Bahr El Ghazal, near the border with Darfur.