The international role in the South Sudan secession issue

Abstract

The issue of South Sudan is not a recent development; rather, it dates back to the British colonial period (1898–1956). This era gave rise to political, economic, social, and particularly religious problems, intended to pave the way for the South's secession to serve colonial strategic interests in the region. This was achieved by fueling conflict and strife to encourage separation, as the occupation kept the South in a state of constant tension between the central government and secessionist forces. These forces initially demanded a federal system, which was rejected by the government under the pretext of maintaining national unity—a situation that eventually led to the military coup in 1958.

​However, after a long and arduous process, political matters grew more complex, and demands shifted under the influence of foreign intervention from the United States, Britain, and Israel. This led to the organization of the opposition in 1963, which culminated in the formation of the "Sudan People's Liberation Movement" (SPLM) led by John Garang. Due to diverging visions and a lack of commitment to agreements—ranging from the political conferences between the government and the southern opposition in 1965 to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (Naivasha) in 2005—the foundation was laid for the 2011 referendum. This resulted in the secession of the South and the establishment of the independent State of South Sudan. Among the first supporters of the new state were the United States, Britain, and Israel, fulfilling an objective they had pursued since the occupation of Sudan.

​Despite South Sudan's independence, several issues remained unresolved, such as disputed border areas and the sharing of resources, particularly oil, which have become threats to both nations. Stability can only be achieved through mutual understanding and cooperation to address these issues in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law.

​The researcher has examined the core pillars of this issue, focusing on understanding the origins of the Sudanese problem that led to secession through historical stages and the factors driving it—primarily foreign intervention and the lack of political insight among domestic forces. Based on this, the researcher has developed a vision for establishing new foundations post-secession that prioritize the interests of both countries, move away from harmful bloc politics, and foster common cooperation to protect the future of both nations