More than a line: Sudan's North-South border

This report, prepared by Concordis International under commission from the United States Institute of Peace, examines drivers of conflict in the NorthSouth border areas of Sudan and current initiatives aimed at managing them. The contents derive from desk and field research undertaken in mid-2010. The document is also informed by the views and concerns expressed by participants at workshops in seven locations along the North-South border and at a senior level workshop in Khartoum2 . Hardening the North-South Divide The CPA did not fully address the issue of the North-South border in Sudan, which goes beyond demarcation and requires peaceful coexistence between border communities in the years to come, Divergent interests between local and national interests fuel feelings of marginalisation in the border communities National agreement (formal or informal) on post-referendum arrangements is a necessary but not sufficient condition to secure a lasting peace. The presence of divergent interests, marginalisation, complex alliances, a militarised culture and the availability of arms, also means that local actors risk drawing the CPA parties back to larger scale conflict if their interests are not perceived as being met. A cycle of reinforcing conflict drivers Local historical dynamics in the border areas have been reinforced by national disagreement over the control of land, oil and natural resources unresolved by the CPA. In 2010 several clashes occurred between SPLA and nomadic tribes (clashes with Rizeigat in Hofrat al Nahas and Misseriya groups around the South Kordofan-Unity ‘triangle’). In the context of unmet CPA expectations at the local level ‘Other Armed Groups’ are re-emerging as a significant security threat in both North and South and links between armed groups in Southern Kordofan and Southern Darfur highlight the potential for regional instability.