Sudanese children visit a market in Abyei (© 2009 AFP)Sudan north-south border 'dangerously militarised': ICG
The undefined border between ex-civil war foes in northern and southern Sudan is creating tension in the oil-rich area as the south nears an independence vote, the International Crisis Group warned on Thursday.
The border was meant to be defined six months after the 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan’s 22-year civil war, but negotiations by the committee established to demarcate it are in "deadlock," the Brussels-based think-tank ICG said.
"As the country’s oil resources are concentrated in these areas, the political and economic implications of border demarcation have been amplified, and some border areas remain dangerously militarized," the report read.
Semi-autonomous south Sudan is struggling to recover from the war, which killed an estimated two million people in a conflict fuelled by ethnicity, ideology, religion and resources such as oil.
Tensions remain high between the north and the grossly underdeveloped south, which is scheduled to vote in January in an independence referendum.
Many expect the south to choose secession rather than unity with the rest of Sudan, Africa's largest nation. But analysts warn the lack of border demarcation could be a key stumbling block.
"The still undefined boundary line has hindered implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), fuelled mistrust between its two signatory parties and contributed to heightened anxiety along the border," the ICG said.
"Both the (northern) Sudanese Armed Forces and the (southern) Sudan People’s Liberation Army have exhibited an aggressive military posture in some border areas," the report added.
The northern ruling National Congress Party had demanded the border demarcation be completed before the referendum goes ahead.
However, the registration process for the referendum is already well behind schedule and southern officials have said that the demarcation can take place after the vote.
