Splitting Sudan

The likelihood of Sudan splitting into two independent states has become a strong possibility. Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan have been fighting for many years. Finally, with the independence vote Southern Sudan will be able to seek independence from Northern Sudan. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir thought Southern Sudan was incapable of governing itself and did not support allowing for the vote to happen. Besides the President’s lack of hope in Southern Sudan, the President was also concerned with how Abyei (area with lots of oil) would be split. Both sides claim the Abyei region, creating a possibility for the outbreak of war between the two sides. The North is angered at the South for wanting to separate because the North would suffer a great loss of oil. Much of the oil in Sudan is actually located in the South.

The possibility of the North being able to prevent the South from reaching independence is low since there are other consequences involved. Rebel movements may be instigated in countries that dislike the North like in Darfur or Kordofan. Eventually President Bashir realized that many of his choices were likely to cause conflict. The decision to split the country seemed a better choice in comparison with the turmoil that could surface if the country did not separate. The pressure to separate the country was also influenced by the South’s leaders involved in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Other supporters of making peace in Sudan include the African Union, European Union, United Nations, China (import most oil from Sudan), and even the U.S. that has prevented conflict in the past within Sudan. Unfortunately, for a long time the North has oppressed the South, but with the independence vote the two sides may finally reach peace. However, there are many complications involved in making this decision, especially in regards to how everything will be split (resources, etc.).

By: Taryn Vaughan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110108/wl_time/08599204139700;_ylt=AqNJnzD3NnD5QZgZlSmmLKNvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJtaTU3MzhsBGFzc2V0A3RpbWUvMjAxMTAxMDgvMDg1OTkyMDQxMzk3MDAEcG9zAzMyBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDc291dGhlcm5zdWRh