With South Sudan ready to secede on 9th July, the disputes over who controls Abyei turn violent.
Around 15,000 people have fled from the Abyei region as the Northern troops seized the area, the Guardian reports. In response, the Southern Sudanese President Salva Kirr has demanded the intervention of international troops to reach political solutions.
Experts fear that the North-South conflict might reignite the abhorrent battles in between the two sides. This largest African country has already witnessed extensive civil wars due to military, political, ethnic and religious reasons.
As the tension mounts, the memories of 1.5 million people who were killed in the previous conflicts have started haunting the civilians.
‘Why to control Abyei?’
Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Abyei had been granted the ‘special administrative status’ in 2004.
One of the reasons why both Northern and Southern Sudan are ferociously engrossed in animosity on the ‘Abyei’ topic is due to the geo-political location of the area. Situated in the Muglad Basin which is a massive oil reserve for Sudan, Abeyi had been credited as the major ‘investment point’ for Sudan’s oil industry.
Also, the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline, one of the important pipelines, also runs across through Abyei, further enhancing its importance.
After the commencement of this pipeline, the export of oil reserves in Sudan has witnessed a dramatic increase. Hence, it indirectly proves to be one of the main revenue generators for the country.
‘Not that sad civil war again’
Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir has stated that South Sudan is waiting for its independence and does not want to resume the ‘sad civil war again.’
He also stressed on how the South Sudan army plans to maintain peace with the Northern troops controlled by President Umar al-Bashir.
Present Salva, recognised for his cowboy hat, has played a dynamic role in guiding his homeland Southern Sudan through innumerable challenges after the 2005 peace deal.
‘North Sudan speaks for citizens.’
While the North Sudan’s Defence Minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein states that North Sudan would not withdraw the troops from Abyei until and unless an official and peaceful negotiation is reached. The freedom to the citizens and stability to the administration should be guaranteed.
President Omar al-Bashir has stated that any form of ‘provocation’ from the side of Southern troops would be met in a ferocious manner.
Currently, 22 people have been killed in this ambush, BBC reports. Also, when the White House stated that this seizure would lead to future changes in debt reliefs, President Omar stated that he was not interested in America’s funds.
In a nutshell, a peaceful transition looks doubtful over coming days, as both the North and South Sudan being politically and militarily involved.
Credit: Picture of South Sudan’s President from Reuters
shubhdachaudhary 