Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 34,535 Location: Paris, France
The partition of Sudan? « Thread Started on Oct 18, 2010, 10:32am »
Most people do not know anything about Sudan, and when they do, it is not good stuff – genocide in Darfur, the international arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir, a particularly virulent application the sharia in the legal system, strong links to Al-Qaeda… Not the sort of place most of us want to spend our next holidays.
On January 9th, 2011, South Sudan is scheduled to have a referendum on independence after a long history of civil war with the Islamic North. Both the 17-year war of 1955-1972 (which began even before independence) and the war of 1975-1983 were fought for the South to obtain self determination. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement was finally signed in 2005, and part of it called for the upcoming vote.
Unlike the North, South Sudan is not Muslim. The main religions are traditional animist with a sprinkling of Christianity. Basically, the North and the South have nothing in common, and the country is an invention of former colonial powers. Therefore, it is practically certain that the people will vote for independence, which will come into effect 6 months later.
Most of the countries of Africa are not really happy with this, because just about all of the countries are living with inherited colonial boundaries, and the South Sudan vote could inspire all sorts of unhappy minorities to demand the same thing, which in the past have led to a number of wars, such as the Biafra conflict in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970. Meanwhile, all sorts of things have not been negotiated yet, such as citizenship, the exact borders or the division of oil revenue. Not likely to be a simple matter at all!
Egypt is particularly nervous about instability in the Sudan, which controls the Blue Nile and the White Nile. If Egypt’s water supply is affected in any way, it could be catastrophic. Egypt already took the precaution of opening a consulate in Juba in 2005. Other countries such as Uganda are quite enthusiastic. Uganda was a major supplier of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army from the South and would like to reap some benefits from its support – cheaper oil, for example.
Anyway, just another little detail of geopolitics to keep an eye on (as though we were not already busy with so much other stuff)….
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 3,885 Location: Phnom Penh
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #1 on Oct 19, 2010, 1:51am »
I'd heard of it but completely forgotten. Yes, I can imagine other countries in Africa are unhappy. It would set a precedent that might start the dominoes toppling.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,327 Location: Mexico
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #2 on Oct 20, 2010, 4:32am »
It's kind of depressing that the fears of other countries would have any bearing on this situation. It would seem that what the people want will carry the day, making both halves of the country happier.
Thanks for the heads-up on this impending bit of history, and for the historical background.
It would seem that what the people want will carry the day, making both halves of the country happier.
It's not really halves. I think South Sudan is only about 20% or 25% of the area. Nevertheless, Sudan will probably lose its position as the biggest country in Africa.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 34,535 Location: Paris, France
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #5 on Dec 23, 2010, 11:34am »
Ballots for S. Sudan vote arrive By JEREMY CLARKE | REUTERS
JUBA, Sudan: Millions of ballot papers were delivered to south Sudan on Wednesday, removing one uncertainty ahead of a referendum on southern independence scheduled for next month.
The Jan. 9 referendum has been fraught with delays and logistical problems, and organizers had feared snowy weather that has snarled air traffic in Britain might stop English printers from delivering the forms on time.
People from the oil-producing but underdeveloped south are widely expected to choose independence in the vote.
The plane carrying more than 7.3 million ballot forms landed in the airport in the southern capital Juba and was surrounded by security forces, UN officials and a Reuters witness said.
“You cannot control winter, but this is what we believed would happen and it has. The ballots will be produced on time,” said Anne Itto, a senior official with south Sudan’s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.
“All other complaints are minor now, the main thing is the ballots are here and the referendum can go ahead.”
The referendum was promised in a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of north-south civil war and analysts have warned disagreements over the vote could reignite conflict.
The north’s dominant National Congress Party is backing unity, but denies accusations from southern leaders it just wants to keep control of southern oil.
UN referendum monitors on Wednesday praised the commission but said they still faced a number of challenges, including funding shortages and lawsuits.
“(The organizers) have faced financial and logistical hurdles and yet voter registration was largely peaceful, orderly and transparent... Based on our observations so far, we believe that a credible referendum can take place,” said former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, heading the panel.
A number of civic groups in the north have launched legal challenges with the country’s Constitutional Court, calling for the organizing commission to be dissolved and voter registration to be re-run.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 3,885 Location: Phnom Penh
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #7 on Jan 11, 2011, 1:45am »
36 killed yesterday. Seems surprisingly quiet. I think there'll be a lot more violence after the voting when it comes down to the nitty gritty like border demarcation and distribution of raw materials.
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #8 on Jan 11, 2011, 3:43am »
There were bus loads of Sudanese that came from all over to Toronto to vote in the election yesterday. It was an intriguing story to listen to on the news and like you say when the time comes to separate the raw materials will be interesting to see how they can accomplish this.
I understand the south has the oil and the north the refineries and that there is rich minerals in the center to sort out. Hopefully this can be resolved and the people will begin a new chapter of calm and safety that they have not had in a long time. Mich
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #13 on Feb 5, 2011, 5:43am »
Ah and then the fussing about Oil and Money will start. The partition isn't over yet. One hopes people will put on their big boy and girl pants and not make a fuss, of course, but I must admit I hardly think it likely this will be achieved without some sort of tussle.
The north & the south did sign an agreement over the Abyei region, agreeing to demilitarize it and to allow Ethiopian peacekeeping forces in: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011620143327437250.html Gad, read the last sentence of that article. It pretty much sums up the history of war on earth.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 34,535 Location: Paris, France
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #15 on Jul 11, 2011, 9:26pm »
So, the Republic of South Sudan now exists, since 9 July 2011, but what do we know about it? I do know that the capital is Juba, but who is the president?
That's a fine hat, Mr. President, Salva Kiir Mayardit.
South Sudan has chosen English as the official language and has applied to join the Commonwealth, the East African Community, the IMF and the World Bank. On July 13, it is expected to become the 193rd member of the United Nations.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,327 Location: Mexico
Re: The partition of Sudan? « Reply #16 on Jul 11, 2011, 9:44pm »
What I learned on the news yesterday was that South Sudan is the 54th African state. Until then, I could not have told you how many countries there were in Africa.
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