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

This report summarizes a roundtable seminar hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) on January 13, 2011, regarding the political implications of the Southern Sudan referendum. The discussion focused on the interdependence of Northern and Southern Sudan, specifically concerning oil revenues, water resources in the Nile basin, and the challenges of state-building and border security.

• The viability of both Northern and Southern Sudan depends on the uninterrupted flow of oil revenues. While oil was a source of division during the war, it is viewed as a potential unifying factor due to this mutual economic dependence.
• Approximately 75% of Sudan's estimated 5 billion barrels of oil are located in the South. There have been plans to construct a 3,600km pipeline from Juba to Lamu on the coast of Kenya, though its feasibility is questioned due to significant financial and technical hurdles.
• The distribution of Nile basin water resources is a critical regional issue. Southern Sudan is expected to utilize its share of water for hydro-electricity, industry, and agriculture, which will impact all states within the Nile basin.
• Several critical challenges face the post-referendum relationship between the North and South, including the presence of Darfur rebels in Southern Sudan, the need for infrastructure development in the South, and instability in the Abyei region, which could threaten peace across Africa and neighboring states.

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} }