Sudan: Situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile

The Enough Project published in June 2012 a balanced account of the current situation in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan. The author, Jenn Christian, notes that both regions are critical to peace between Sudan and South Sudan.

The conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile provide Juba with a rationale it believes it can destabilize the government in Khartoum by providing support to the SPLM-N and, by extension, to the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF). Continued conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile has, however, galvanized President Bashir's power base in Khartoum against the rebels and, by extension, South Sudan. While southern officials continue to deny their support of the SPLM-N and the SRF, most observers believe they they are providing some assistance.

Khartoum views the SRF rebellion as a threat to the NCP regime's domestic stability and characterizes southern support for the insurgency as the underlying cause of the violence. So far, Khartoum has publicly refused to negotiate with the SPLM-N and other members of the SRF.

Click here to read the brief report.