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On the heels of its first democratic elections in over two decades this past April, Sudan now prepares for a historic referendum to decide if the South will secede or remain part of a united Sudan.
Whether the January 2011 referendum delivers unity or secession, there are significant risks of escalating tensions and renewed violence along the North-South border. In either scenario, the way in which social, economic, and security relations across the border are managed at local and national levels could determine whether conflicts resume or peace is maintained. The needs and interests of border communities, as well as those of elites, should be reflected in arrangements made at the border and between the parties If an agreement is not inclusive and representative of all groups, then sources of instability may outweigh opportunities for peace.
USIP’s new Priority Grant Program in Sudan, the North-South Border Initiative, will work to address drivers of conflict in this area and help Sudanese actors manage sources of instability. As part of the launch of this program, USIP commissioned Concordis International to undertake a conflict assessment of the dynamics related to the North-South border in Sudan, identifying local and national drivers of conflict and how they interact. The conflict assessment draws on desk and field research as well as a series of Concordis workshops that have taken place in seven of the ten border states so far. It identifies key local and national conflict flashpoints related to the North-South border and outlines challenges and opportunities for their resolution.
Join us for a discussion of the results of this assessment between the research team and Sudan experts.
Speakers
- Benedetta de Alessi
School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
- Amir Idris
Fordham University
- Christopher Milner
Concordis International
- Martin Pratt
Durham University
- Andrew Blum, Moderator
United States Institute of Peace
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