03/14/2006
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New encounters in the south, for the first time since the peace signing
The encounters which last Wednesday involved the Sudan People’s Liberation Army,
the ex-rebel movement which after the signing of the peace agreement controls
the southern part of the country, and an unidentified paramilitary militia group
are the first since the signing of the peace agreement, in January of last year.
Is the longest civil war of recent history in Africa destined to start again?
The militia question. According to the Sudan authorities story, the encounters would have happened
in Kharasana, in central Sudan, in the area controlled by the SPLA, at least 12
were killed, all among the SPLA forces, which condemns the Sudan government for
what happened, given that to organize the attack it would have been a militia
group near Khartoum, financed during the civil war by the central government to
fight against the rebel activity. Also, according to the organization Human Rights
Watch, it still maintains strong ties with the Sudanese Government.
A big problem. “The militias in the south of the country form a big problem”, a diplomatic
source tells PeaceReporter, “the government served them during the conflict only
to abbandon them afterwards. Therefore, the old fighters became delinquents who
oppress the civilian population, even if this time they pushed themselves further.
The war will probably not happen again, but it now would be the time that the
authorities should seriously look at the problem.” It is not, however, very clear
who must organize their integration into the army. The government or international
organizations? “It is a question which was never made fully clear” the diplomat
concludes, “and it is exactly these missing details which make the peace process
still fragile. Because he who wants to sabotage it would find all the possible
holds.”
The militia question. According to the Sudan authorities story, the encounters would have happened
in Kharasana, in central Sudan, in the area controlled by the SPLA, at least 12
were killed, all among the SPLA forces, which condemns the Sudan government for
what happened, given that to organize the attack it would have been a militia
group near Khartoum, financed during the civil war by the central government to
fight against the rebel activity. Also, according to the organization Human Rights
Watch, it still maintains strong ties with the Sudanese Government. Possible consequences. What consequences will these new conflicts have on the peace process? In Khartoum
they are hoping: the various militias that operate in the south of the country
would have to enter into the army by January 2006, but the scarse organization
impedes the respect of the works of peace. Everything now depends on the “dynamism”
of these armed groups, and on the desire of the government and ex-rebels to continue
on the road to peace. Already in the summer, on the occasion of John Garang’s
death, the disorder of Khartoum risked wasting year’s worth of diplomatic work.
The peace process was reinforced, but will it be the same this time?
A big problem. “The militias in the south of the country form a big problem”, a diplomatic
source tells PeaceReporter, “the government served them during the conflict only
to abbandon them afterwards. Therefore, the old fighters became delinquents who
oppress the civilian population, even if this time they pushed themselves further.
The war will probably not happen again, but it now would be the time that the
authorities should seriously look at the problem.” It is not, however, very clear
who must organize their integration into the army. The government or international
organizations? “It is a question which was never made fully clear” the diplomat
concludes, “and it is exactly these missing details which make the peace process
still fragile. Because he who wants to sabotage it would find all the possible
holds.”Matteo Fagotto
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