Water: the peace spoiler in Sudan

The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, and the international community, have voiced their concern over renewed tribal violence in Southern Sudan. I was in Jonglei State in the eastern area of Southern Sudan in 2005, months after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, in which many tribes were commencing to prepare their own local peace agreements with neighboring and feuding tribes.

It was hoped then that cohesion between tribes across the region will lead to greater strength for self-determination for Southern Sudan during the elections in 2011. But water is a major issue and a major cause of conflict. Calls for more assistance to build a durable peace within tribes, and to comprehensibly and sustainably address water issues in Sudan is an imperative.

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