Both Sudans pledge to end violence

Sudan and South Sudan finally gave assurances that both nations were ready to curtail hostilities.  The neighbouring countries were coming under increasing pressure from the international community to put an end to the growing violent clashes that erupted last month.  On the second of May the United Nations threatened both countries with sanctions if they failed to end the escalation of violence and restarted negotiations. 

The worst violence since South Sudanese independence followed the South’s invasion of the disputed Heglig oil fields on the 18^th of April, an act the UN described as “illegal”.  The South’s invasion was prompted by the North’s decision to demand a transport fee for the South Sudanese oil that is moved via pipeline through Sudan.  Violent clashes took place following the invasion along the border of Sudan's Kordofan state and South Sudan's Bahr el Ghazal state and left 22 soldiers dead.  Sudan then sent troops into the South and bombed border towns in retaliation.  Rather than backing down, both sides had seemed determined to ratchet up the tension, mobilizing militias and moving troops towards the conflict zone.

Tensions have existed since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan last year after two decades of civil war.  At the time of the separation the two states failed to agree on how to share the oilfields of the old unified country.  The border was never fully demarcated and both nations claim the oil rich Abyei region as their own.  Furthermore, Sudan feels that they should be compensated for the $7 billion of oil revenue they have lost since South Sudan seceded.    These issues have been the chief catalysts for the disagreements along with problems regarding the estimated 500,000 South Sudanese in Sudan and 80,000 Sudanese in the South, as well as accusations of each side supporting rebel groups in its rival’s territory.

Sudan and South Sudan’s willingness to cooperate with UN’s resolution is a step in the right direction; especially considering that many observers feared both countries were on the brink of war.  That said, it is vital that the international community takes an interest in the negotiations between the two rival states, possibly even meditating the discussions.  China, as the chief buyer of oil from both states, will be a key player in resolving disputes.  Previously, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Liu Weimin, stressed the need for both sides to "avoid actions that will escalate tension".

Key to settling the problems between both Sudans will of course rest on agreeing on the shared boarder and distribution of the oil wealth the two countries once shared.  One must hope that involvement of the international community can ensure a productive out come to any negotiations; it would certainly be a relief for the citizens of both nations, who have only known conflict with one another for a generation.