×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Sudan's flash points remain

KHARTOUM - After south Sudan votes as expected to secede from the north on Sunday, leaders of both countries must still resolve a range of practical issues if they are to prevent a return to violence.

The referendum, guaranteed by a 2005 peace deal between north and south, which ended the continent's longest civil war, is forecast to result in secession, but exactly how the two countries will disentangle their economies, resources and people, is far from clear.

Even the name of south Sudan has not been decided. Suggestions include New Sudan, Equatoria, Juwama or the Nile Republic.

"The absence of an agreement on post-referendum arrangements increases the possibility that the result will be challenged, generating renewed conflict between the parties," election expert Aly Verjee said in a report on the referendum for regional think tank the Rift Valley Institute.

While brinkmanship and quick fixes have characterised the north-south partnership since the peace accord, the creation of two new states raises problems that are far too sensitive to be leveraged off against each other with last-minute wrangling.

"At this stage, brinkmanship, delay and broken agreements - old traditions of Sudanese politics - threaten to turn the challenges of the referendum into a national disaster," Verjee said.

Citizenship rights, agreeing a border and how to patrol it, sharing assets and liabilities, dividing oil and Nile water resources, agreeing the status of the disputed Abyei region and coordinating economic policies are all potential flash points which have yet to be agreed just days ahead of voting.

This means southerners, especially those living in the north, will have to make a decision at the ballot box without knowing what the consequences of that decision might be.

Neither the north nor south can afford a return to war and most expect they will continue some form of oil revenue-sharing after secession in order to offset a major economic shock to either economy.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.