Trouble Around Sudan's Border

In a not so surprising twist, the Northern Sudanese army is threatening to occupy two territories along the volatile border that separates the north from the south. Governments of both sides are contesting a region that straddles the border called Abyei, and earlier this week the northern forces pushed their way in to the area causing tensions to rise just weeks before the country splits. In a note from the Northern Sudanese army, the high command plan on taking over the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan areas in coming days. This act of aggression could set off a war between the North and the South which both have extensive stockpiles of firearms. The border itself is disputed because of tribal rivalries, ethnicities, and religions. It also happens to have Sudan's largest reserve of oil as well as being the most fertile part of the country. The Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan regions along with the rest of the Abyei area were meant to hold informal referendums as to whether they would decide to join the south or the north in the split, as per a compromise between the North and South. With Northern aggression that has failed to happen according to the Southern leadership. This is becoming an explosive and tense situation that possibly could spark another civil war in northern Africa.

by Margaret Nunne

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/world/africa/30sudan.html?_r=1&ref=world