Dialogue: Key to Sudan    cohesion                  Photo courtesy

A new conflict is simmering between the Republic of South Sudan and North Sudan over the sharing of Oil resources. The government of the Republic of South Sudan accuses the North for its continued military attacks on the Oil rich areas of Kordofan and the Blue Nile States.

It is unfortunate that countries that have seceded as a result of protracted civil wars are still not agreeing on peaceful solutions to solve outstanding issues. Instead of drumming war sounds in both countries and creating unnecessary tension, president Omar Hassan al Bashir and Salva  Kiir should call for peaceful negotiations. 

Despite the signing of a successful peace agreement which brought peace between the people of the Sudan, the two leaders are still advocating for war instead of preaching peace, development and unity among the people.

Until mid last year, the Republic of South Sudan was part of the government of Sudan. The current president of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mardyani was then the 1st Vice President of the whole Sudan. The two leaders worked together amicably and peacefully as president and Vice President respectively. 

The two regions signed the peace agreement in Nairobi which brought an end to the protracted civil war in Sudan for decades. Both Bashir and Kiir know too well the consequences of war. The duo should advocate for dialogue and embark on positive strategies aimed at taking their countries forward and never agree to go to war again.

The people of the two regions have a lot in common. They have lived together despite the long war which pitted the South against the North and climaxed to the formation of the Republic of South Sudan as an independent state last year.

The current conflict in the Blue Nile and Jonglei State areas is not only threatening peace and stability in the two neighboring countries but also the neighboring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Congo. The tension is also a big threat to the economic stability of East and Central Africa. The Republic of South Sudan has since joined the membership of East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).Other members of the organizations include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

It is therefore of paramount importance that the Republics of North and South Sudan embrace peace for the sake of development in their own countries and stability in the whole region. Already there is an influx of people fleeing the affected areas of South Sudan as refugees into Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. The focus for the two neighboring nations should be more for the economic and political prosperity and stability and not war.

Oil is a potential resource for the two countries. So it is important for both governments of Sudan to agree on how to share it. The oil is abundant and enough to sustain the economies of the two countries and to benefit the people in terms of economic growth and stability.

It is sad that instead of coming together to form regional and political blocks to promote economic growth, African leadership engages in conflicts among brothers and sisters. The African people have suffered a lot and should be spared of more travail.

Without proper leadership backed with good governance practice, Africa will not prosper. It is high time African leaders change their attitude and embrace peaceful solutions to misunderstandings and conflicts. It is easy to start war but a nightmare to sustain or stop it.

African leadership should build capacities aimed at enhancing and promoting peace for the purpose of economic prosperity, development and political stability. Africa’s future should not depend on the decisions and interventions by the United Nations Security Council. It is upon the leadership of Africa to find suitable mechanisms of sorting out their differences and disagreements peacefully. International organizations such as UN can only assist when and where necessary but not every time.

By Denise Kodhe

Executive Director, The Institute for Democracy, Leadership & Empowerment in Africa - IDEA.