The Outstanding Issues between the Two Sudans: a Way to Peace or Conflict

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005) between the government of Sudan and the SPLM led to a referendum on self-determination for the people of southern Sudan. The result of the referendum held in January 2011 showed an overwhelming majority for an independent South Sudan. President al-Bashir attended the celebration and promised full cooperation with the new state. However, many issues were not settled during the six years Interim Period, they had to be negotiated later. Since July 2010, the two parties failed to reach an agreement on the major outstanding issues: oil transportation fees, Abyei dispute, border line between the two countries, and security arrangements. Few clashes occurred between the two armies which led to the intervention of the African Union and the UN Security Council; both august bodies passed similar resolutions on the conflict demanding immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal from disputed areas and reaching agreements on all outstanding issues within three months under the facilitation of African Union High Implementation Panel headed by Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. Two rounds of negotiation took place in May and June 2012 in Addis Ababa without tangible success. The SC warned the party which obstructs a negotiated solution with appropriate measures under Chapter 41