It is two months since South Sudan’s peaceful secession from the North after decades of civil war, but violence in the border regions has flared since May. In a split still lacking clarity over border demarcations and the division of resources, several reports have outlined escalating tensions that have killed scores of people and pushed tens of thousands to leave their homes. A report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) says the lack of political inclusivity and the heavy-handed approach of President Omar al-Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party to crush rebels and dissent could lead to a civil war and destabilize the whole region. The think-tank says conflict is spiralling out of control following Sudan’s attempts to forcefully disarm and dissolve the northern branch of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement that fought against Khartoum for autonomy with the South for years. Sudan’s refusals to pull troops out of the contested Abyei region and listen to marginalized people in eastern states and western Darfur could lead to mass unrest.
Pray: for opposing groups to be able to communicate over political and economic differences. (Eph.4:3)