South Sudanese Independence and its Regional Implications

The prospect of renewed tensions, and possibly war, between North and South Sudan remains high. Even while the split between South and North has been generally peaceful, the emergence of a new state in east-central Africa will carry important implications and risks for the region and beyond, as well as the Sudanese government will manage the persisting tensions in the Darfur region.

Since independence from Britain in 1956, Sudan has known very few years without war. The areas of conflict have always concerned South Kordofan, the Blue Nile region and Abyei, the very same areas that remain at risk today. In 2003, the Darfur issue precipitated into a wider conflict, which has left directly and indirectly some 400,000 deaths and over two million refugees.  South Sudan has now formally become an independent state; the question remains how this new state will affect the regional balance. Overall, there are as many viable prospects for a peaceful separation as there are for a breakout of war. To purchase this Flash Analysis, please follow this link.

Analyst Alessandro Bruno speaks to TV views on the issues.