Generations of animosity have been allowed to develop between north and south in Sudan, and the tensions have continued since South Sudan gained its independence 18 months (less one day) ago. South Sudan has the bulk of the oil, but is landlocked, and relies on oil exports for 98% of its revenue; Sudan has the ports and the military aircraft which it is not afraid to use, but wants a hefty financial cut from the oil transported across its territory from South Sudan.
The leaders of the two countries – Omar al Bashir from Sudan (who also happens to be wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity relating to his actions in Darfur) and Salva Kiir from South Sudan – met a few days ago in Ethiopia in an attempt to hammer out some sort of resolution to the ongoing skirmishes. They had previously agreed in September 2012 to resume oil exports and secure the border between the countries, but had since failed to follow through.
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has been fulfilling the role of mediator on behalf of the African Union, and the parties have agreed to establish a demilitarised buffer zone between the countries, allowing oil exports to resume. It is easy to be cynical, but the terms of this round of agreements seem to mirror the terms of the last round of agreements. We now wait to see whether the new agreements will be respected.