Can Sudan's resources be shared? Implications of the Southern Sudan referendum

The seminar highlighted the economic interdependence of Northern and Southern Sudan, noting that while oil and water resources are critical for the viability of both regions, they could serve as unifying factors for peace. Key challenges identified include the governance of the oil sector, the distribution of Nile basin water, the status of the Abyei region, and the presence of Darfur rebels in the South.

• Northern and Southern Sudan are economically interdependent, particularly regarding oil revenues, which are essential for the viability of both regions and may act as a unifying factor rather than a source of division.
• The distribution and governance of water resources within the Nile basin are critical regional issues that will affect all states in the basin, as Southern Sudan intends to utilize water for hydro-electricity, industry, and agriculture.
• Approximately 75% of Sudan's estimated 5 billion barrels of oil are located in the South. While there are plans for a 3,600km pipeline from Juba to Lamu in Kenya, its feasibility is uncertain due to financial and technical challenges.
• Several political and security challenges could jeopardize peace, including the presence of Darfur rebels in Southern Sudan and tensions surrounding the Abyei region.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2011). Can Sudan's resources be shared? Implications of the Southern Sudan referendum. https://saiia.org.za/research/can-sudans-resources-be-shared-implications-of-the-southern-sudan-referendum/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Can Sudan's resources be shared? Implications of the Southern Sudan referendum. 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/can-sudans-resources-be-shared-implications-of-the-southern-sudan-referendum/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Can Sudan's resources be shared? Implications of the Southern Sudan referendum |date=19 January 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/can-sudans-resources-be-shared-implications-of-the-southern-sudan-referendum/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2011can, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Can Sudan's resources be shared? Implications of the Southern Sudan referendum}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/can-sudans-resources-be-shared-implications-of-the-southern-sudan-referendum/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }