This article discusses the different trajectories of a once-united Zande people and their respective positions in the nation-states of South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR). The report argues that unlike Azande in CAR, Azande in South Sudan have emerged as a formidable and united force, partly due to the independence of South Sudan and the violence inflicted on them by Uganda’s Lord Resistance Army, resulting in the reinstatement of their fallen kingdom. The…

African borderlands – such as those between South Sudan, Uganda and Congo – are often presented by analysts as places of agency and economic opportunity, in contrast to hardened, securitized borders elsewhere. We emphasize, however, that even such relatively porous international borders can nevertheless be the focus of significant unease for borderland communities. Crossing borders can enable safety for those fleeing conflict or trading prospects for business people, but it can also engender anxieties around…

Key points • Since Salva Kiir appointed Hussein Abdel Abgi as one of his five vice-presidents he has strengthened his control over the borderland region between South Sudan and Sudan, now occupying political space previously filled by Paul Malong (former SPLA Chief of Staff). • Abdel Bagi has deepened his control of the re-formed Northern Bahr el-Ghazal by successfully negotiating the appointment of Tong Aken Ngor (former governor of Aweil state), who operates under his…

A UN mission has largely succeeded in keeping the peace in Abyei, an oil-rich area claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. But there has been less progress made on the mission’s work in aiding political mechanisms to determine the final status of Abyei and demilitarise and demarcate the border. As the UN Security Council debates the mission’s scope, these mechanisms deserve ongoing support.

Examining the experiences of the South since Sudan’s independence, this article analyses why the choice of ‘unity’ became an unrealistic option for South Sudanese. Stressing that self-determination for the South was the only way to resolve Sudan’s long-standing national crisis, this article points out, at the same time, that it left unresolved the issue of self-determination for the peoples of the northern Sudan who joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army and brought new problems, particularly…

Joshua Craze revisits the border between South Sudan and Sudan two years after the independence of South Sudan and explores conflict dynamics along the border, including conflicts related to grazing. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/169154/HSBA-WP30-North-South-Border.pdf

During celebrations commemorating the second anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Government of South Sudan (GoSS) President and Vice-President of the Republic Salva Kiir made clear that the agreement was facing a crisis and there was a growing risk of a return to war. In particular, he blamed Khartoum’s continuing support for Other Armed Groups (OAGs). In light of that assessment, this paper reviews recent developments in the South Sudan security…

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