South sudanThe new capital city of Juba will be the venue for celebrations estimated to cost around US$90 million. More than 2,000 foreign dignitaries are expected to turn up in Juba, including South African President Jacob Zuma, UN Secretary-General Ban Kim Moon, and several delegates from the US such as Susan Rice and Colin Powell. But amidst the celebratory mood, some key issues still remain unresolved. Although Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will be at the ceremony on Saturday, his presence belie the fact that disagreements still remain between the soon-to-be separated nations and are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
One of the biggest debates between the two nations has been over the contested border region of Abyei. Barely a month ago, Abyei was the scene of fresh armed clashes with both parties refusing to cede control over the region. Although a referendum for Abyei had been scheduled for the beginning of this year, it has since been postponed indefinitely. As a result, the UN Security Council approved the deployment of a 4,200-strong Ethiopian peacekeeping force to the region in order to monitor the situation.
Another highly volatile region is that of Southern Kordofan. At least 73,000 people have been displaced in recent weeks due to fighting between northern and southern forces, with neither side claiming responsibility. Southern Kordofan will remain in Sudanese control after the split, though pro-southern groups in the region have been in constant conflict with the Sudanese government troops. "There is no relation between the government in Juba and the SPLA in the Nuba Mountains or anywhere in the north," said SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer. "If the north attacks them, it will be another situation like Darfur, with the north attacking their own people."
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