December 25, 2007:
The January 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the national Sudanese government
(Khartoum) and South Sudan requires that the north and south implement almost
1100 different tasks. Determining the political boundary between north and
south is the biggest issue, since that directly involves both security and
economic issues. However, the political boundary issue is only the beginning of
it. Even if part of an oil field is determined to be within the jurisdiction of
either region, in many cases the north and south will be required to divide
revenues. Even when (if?) the boundary issue is resolved then the two regions
must still agree to exchange security information and cooperate to maintain
"joint security forces" in several
areas. Ultimately there is the issue of how to conduct the plebiscite in 2011
that will determine if the south becomes a separate country (a genuine South
Sudan). The national government is, as with Darfur, not cooperating in solving
all the problems that arise. In effect, the national government is keeping the
situation vague and ambiguous, which makes it easier to avoid doing what you
promised to do.
December 20, 2007: One of the founders
of the Darfur Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nur, has
issued a statement condemning the use of the name SLM by a ground commanded by
Ahmed Abdelshafi. Apparently Abdelshafi agreed to form a new "Darfur rebel
coalition" after meeting with the leaders of South Sudan. Several Darfur rebel
leaders have accused the government of South Sudan of "collaborating" with the national
government. What collaboration consists of isn't quite clear, though al-Nur
accused the south of helping the national government "fabricate" rebel groups
that would conduct peace negotiations with the national government. The South
Sudan government has repeatedly said it would like to serve as a mediator in
the Darfur conflict.
December 18, 2007: The government of
South Sudan said that its political group, the Sudan Peoples Liberation
Movement (SPLM) has agreed to re-enter the national Sudanese government. What
this means is that the SPLM will once again permit its members to serve in the
national coalition government. South Sudan withdrew its ministers from the
government in October 2007 after a disagreement over troops withdrawals and oil
revenue sharing.
December 16, 2007: Darfur rebels
belonging to the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) claimed they attacked two
Sudanese Army battalions near the Sudan-Chad border and inflicted a major
defeat. The Sudan government denied the JEM's claim. The rebels claimed they
destroyed or captured over 30 Sudanese government vehicles.