Following the independence of South Sudan, Insight on Conflict will be producing a weekly round-up of the news. To subscribe to receive the updates via email, please contact joel@insightonconflict.org or complete the form below.
News roundup
- Talks aimed at resolving outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan resumed last week. During the talks South Sudan accused Sudan of holding 35,000 Southerners as slaves. South Sudan says they were abducted during the civil war and forced to work in the north.
- The UN's former most senior humanitarian official in Sudan has said he witnessed Sudanese planes bombing civilian areas in South Kordofan. Sudan has denied the allegations.
- South Sudan has outlined plans for exporting oil without the north.
- There has been renewed violence between the Murle and Lou Nuer tribes in Jonglei, South Sudan.
- UN Security Council has demanded that Sudan and South Sudan end border hostilities.
- An international conference intended to encourage investment in Sudan was cancelled after the US pulled out in protest over the violence in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
News in detail
Blue Nile, South Kordofan, and Abyei
BBC: Sudan denies attacking South Kordofan civilians 7 Mar: Sudan has rejected allegations that it is carrying out atrocities in its South Kordofan region. Read more
Sudan
Reuters: Sudan investment conference called off as US pulls out 11 Mar: An international conference to drum up investment in Sudan has been called off after the United States and other powers signalled they would not attend in protest over Sudan's crackdown on rebels, diplomats and officials said on Sunday. Read more
AFP: Qatar pledges to invest $2 billion in Sudan 05 Mar: Qatar has promised to invest $2 billion in Sudan, the official QNA news agency reported on Wednesday, as Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited the gas-rich Gulf state. Read more
North-South relations
AFP: South Sudan accuses Khartoum of 'enslaving' thousands 9 Mar: South Sudan accused former foe Sudan on Friday of holding 35,000 Southerners as "slaves," stalling talks to resolve a furious oil dispute as tensions remain high between the two neighbours. Read more
AFP: Tense oil talks resume between Sudan and South 06 Mar: Talks between Sudan and South Sudan resumed in the Ethiopian capital Tuesday to resolve a furious oil dispute as tensions remain high between the two nations. Read more
AFP: UN Council demands end to hostilities between rival Sudans 06 Mar: The UN Security Council on Tuesday demanded that rival Sudan and South Sudan end border hostilities and head off moves to war. Read more
South Sudan
Sudan Tribune: Akobo villages “besieged” by Jonglei raiders, wounded reach hospital 9 Mar: Armed raiders alleged to be Murle tribesmen have taken control of cattle camps and villages in Dengjok Payam (district) of Akobo County, Jonglei State killing many people, sources have told Sudan Tribune. Read more
Reuters: South Sudan plans underwater pipe for oil exports 07 Mar: South Sudan, locked in a row over oil transit fees with neighbour Sudan, said on Wednesday it plans to build a temporary underwater oil pipeline along the Nile as part of a project to deliver crude for export from ports in Kenya and Djibouti. Read more
Reuters: South Sudan inflation eases as food prices decline 06 Mar: Inflation in recently independent South Sudan eased in February, driven by a welcome slide in the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages, official data showed on Tuesday. Read more
