Sudan and South Sudan fail to end oil dispute

The talks between Sudan and South Sudan ended in a stalemate. Since the south seceded and became independent last July, the issues have included the demarcation of the border separating the nations, the status of citizens in each country, and "oil." South Sudan, who has most of the oil, but because of her landlocked geographic status, has to depend on the pipelines and facilities in the north to export it. Last month, South Sudan stopped its oil production in protest, accusing Sudan of stealing $815 million worth of oil and announcing that it would seek to construct alternative pipelines to Kenya and Djibouti. According to Mr. El-Affendi, Professor of the University of Westminster in London, “The southern leadership has unleashed powerful nationalist sentiments over the oil issue, which would be difficult to contain and would constrain the leadership’s ability to make concessions in the short term.” In addition, without a cease-fire in border and citizenship conflicts, it is hard to anchor one's hope on a new round of negotiations which has been set for the end of this month.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/world/africa/sudan-and-south-sudan-fail-to-end-oil-dispute.html?ref=world

Sophia Park