The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the best known are a ‘North-South’
conflict, ‘that problem in Darfur’ or an ‘Arab-African’ conflict. The
reality is that Sudan is deeply complex with many isolated but often
overlapping conflicts that blur common perceptions.The fragile Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was reached in
2005, in one way or another, affects almost every state in the North and
South of Sudan. Beneath that numerous tribal differences that continue
to be politicized, and bitter oil related conflicts, exacerbate problems
further. Such complexities make it almost impossible for outsiders to
fully understand, once again highlighting just how indispensable local peace builders are. There are fears that the conflicts in Sudan have the
potential to trigger a regional war, drawing in neighboring countries.
As the question of South Sudan’s (in)dependence is one of the major
disputes dividing North and South, a Referendum, conducted in response
to the 2005 Naivasha Agreement (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) between
the NCP and SPLM, was held on the 9th January 2011 to decide whether
South Sudan should remain part of Sudan or become autonomous. A
similar referendum was to be held in Abyei to decide whether it joined
the North or South, but was postponed due to complications.
Significant problems predicted before the Referendum have since
surfaced. Darfur has reemerged as conflict region, with a sharp rise in
violent clashes being reported. New splinter rebel groups have taken
shape and are contesting fresh demands in the South and East. The fate
of the oil rich border states are still undecided, with the
possibility of renewed violence. Thousands of refugees have fled
conflict areas. And logistics over citizenship and the splitting of the
national debt have yet to be worked out. These problems threaten to
derail the entire process.
Yet steps are being taken towards resolving these issues facing the
creation of the world’s newest nation. Peace talks over a planned
referendum in Darfur are under way, ex-combatant reintegration is
taking a foothold and South Sudan’s draft constitution has successfully
been completed. It has yet to be seen in how long and with how much
difficulty the secession is to be instated.
All these were done, and we are now witnessing another war between the two countries. In fact, they are fighting over the oil fields of Heglig.
South Sudan said Sudan has launched four new attacks in the last 24
hours on the as yet undefined border that the sides have been fighting
over for weeks. The accusation follows threats from Sudanese President
Omar al-Bashir to destroy the South Sudanese government.
South Sudan’s occupation of a contested area of Heglig that Sudan
uses to produces half its oil has sparked fears that what started as
border clashes could lead to all-out war with Khartoum.
South
Sudan government spokesman Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Heglig is within
a 1956 border left by former colonial power Britain. He said the south
is now fending off attacks in three of its 10 states.
“The
government of the Republic of Sudan is on continuous attack both
bombardment and ground forces invasion into the territory of South
Sudan, but the Republic of South Sudan has been able in self-defense to
actually to repulse these wanton attacks within the borders of South
Sudan," said Benjamin. "We would like to say again, up to now, we have
not crossed, even an inch, into the borders of the Republic of Sudan.”
Sudan's parliament voted this week to make
South Sudan an enemy of the state, and on Wednesday President Omar
al-Bashir vowed to to crush the southern government, which he described
as an “insect,” and to “liberate” the south's people.
But despite
the increasing war rhetoric and intense fighting on the border,
Benjamin insisted that South Sudan was not at war with Sudan.
“That pronouncement by parliament in
Khartoum is a declaration of war. The Republic of South Sudan is not in
the state of war, nor is it interested in the war with Sudan, which we
believe is a senseless war,” he said.
However, Benjamin said
that southern troops would not pull out of Heglig unless both armies
cease hostilities, agree to demarcate the border and pull out troops
from the Abyei - another contested area on the border, which was
occupied by Sudan Armed Forces, SAF last May.
South Sudan’s army -
the SELA - occupied Heglig, which the South calls Panthou, after
pushing forces back for the second time. The south said the area was
being used to launch attacks on South Sudan.
“The SPLA forces are
in Panthou, which is Heglig, to put to an end repeated attacks by Sudan
Armed Forces - SAF - into the positions of the SPLA," Benjamin said.
"The presence of SAF in Panthou, has been a security threat to SPLA
positions in the area.”
South Sudan also said it is ready to
restart negotiations with Sudan, that aimed to address outstanding
issues over territory, borders, and the sharing of oil revenues
following southern secession last July.
But while war rhetoric
mounts, it remains to be seen what can draw these two former civil war
foes back from the brink of a renewed bitter conflict. This conflict must be resolved within the shortest possible time to prevent the loss of innocent lives, mostly women and children.South Sudan is a new nation and they have a lot of work to do in terms of development, so war is not an option.
