What is the future of the north of Sudan?
Africa is getting ready to celebrate the birth of a new nation.
On Saturday 9 July South Sudan will officially come into existence after a hard won independence. But as the world anticipates this event, how will life change for the residents of the rest of what has been Africa's biggest country? Around three quarters of Sudan's oil, upon which Khartoum's economy has relied, is in wells in the territory of the new South Sudan.
Aside from tensions with South Sudan, Khartoum faces conflict in other regions within its borders. It has been fighting rebels in Darfur since 2003.
Now South Kordofan has descended into violence.Disturbing images from South Kordofan have made their way into the world's media in recent days, and church groups have talked of "ethnic cleansing" of the region's Nuba people, who supported the southern rebels during the civil war.
What is the future of the Republic of Sudan? Could the celebrations in South Sudan on Saturday trigger similar cries for independence in other regions? What can be done to prevent more bloodshed?
If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 6 July at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.
Comment number 1.
At 02:04 7th Jul 2011, somaliwarlord wrote:This is pathetic. The international community, specially the West allows South Sudan to seperate from the rest of Sudan yet they refuse to allow Somaliland to seperate, although Somaliland has more legitimate argument for seperation since it was an independent country after colonization. Its obvious this is all about pillaging poor Sudan for its oil.
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Comment number 2.
At 11:38 8th Jul 2011, halsstudent6 wrote:I wish Sudan well for the future.
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Comment number 3.
At 16:42 8th Jul 2011, AKPAN wrote:Alas, China's support for the north will ensure that there's no peace. But there's another problem: already, southern leaders are behaving just like other African rulers. Instead of creating infrastructure and independent institutions (without which development is impossible), they're busy building themselves nice palaces, while their people languish in misery. The omens aren't good, alas.
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Comment number 4.
At 13:33 11th Jul 2011, AdenAli wrote:With the natural end of CPA arrangement, All Sudan will definitely become a better place for all and thanks to the maturity and wisdom and credibility of its political leadership. Keep up the good job and your Sudanic values, i.e. forgiveness, hospitality and friendliness...May Allah bless Sudan and its people ...
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Comment number 5.
At 14:57 11th Jul 2011, VANDOO wrote:IT all about good government,thier leaders should not copy from the rest of bad /corrupt africa leaders. how i wish their leaders should copy their system of governments from the west if there wants development in that region/youngest nation in africa.
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