Tribal Conflict over Natural Resources on the Sudan – South Sudan Border: The Case of the Abyei Territory
Absztrakt :
This paper explores the major causes, processes and consequences of natural
resource conflicts between tribes across the Sudan – South Sudan border
region, with the main emphasis on the Abyei territory. Data for the study
have been gathered from primary and secondary sources. The research
revealed that the conflict over ownership of Abyei’s renewable and non-
renewable resources has evolved as a contentious issue between Sudan and
South Sudan. The situation was complicated by the relationship of the Humr
Misseriya and Ngok Dinka and their governments, respectively. Moreover,
lack of agreement about who should be considered a resident of Abyei
derailed a referendum on the territory’s status. The government of Sudan
and Humr Misseriya have not yet accepted all proposals and agreements
for resolving the conflict. Despite the fact that there are new and positive
political developments between the two countries, mainly in 2019–2020,
these have not been extended to the settlement of the final status of Abyei. For
a durable peace in the Abyei region and its environment, both governments
need to work toward realising mutual benefits based on the agreed principles
and proposals stipulated in the Abyei Protocol of 2004–2005 and the African
Union High-Level Implementation Panel of 2012.