Sudan Splits, Oil Disputes Escalate

Image: Flickr, Enough Project
Image: Flickr, Enough Project

The South Sudanese celebrated the birth of their country on 9 July 2011. Many people hoped this historic development would lead to peace and stability. This was not to be, however, as the ties between Khartoum and Juba soured dramatically, culminating in armed clashes over one of the oil-rich areas along the contested common border.

A return to all-out war was averted after the UN Security Council threatened to impose sanctions if both countries did not call a halt to the fighting and complete negotiations on issues outstanding from the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement era within a prescribed period. Among the outstanding issues, differences over oil feature prominently. On 27 September 2012, agreements on oil and other issues were concluded, but their implementation is not certain. Thus, as in the period before Southern Sudan’s split from the North, disputes over oil continue to be the main cause of conflict and instability.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

16 Oct 2012