194 Scarcity and Surfeit
A Joint Egyptian-Libyan Initiative was started in 2000 to mediate between
the government of Sudan, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - the
umbrella grouping for the northern opposition groups and the southern
SPLM/A. Other than being more inclusive in structure, this initiative did not
address the most contentious issues of the conflict, steering away from self-
determination for the south, and from separating state from religion, both of
which are opposed by Egypt and Libya.
On 20 July 2002 the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A signed the
landmark Machakos Protocol, although renewed fighting soon thereafter
raised fears of a lack of commitment to the accord on the part of the signa-
tories. Fighting has been particularly intensive in the oil fields in western
Upper Nile (Wahdahpnity State). Under the deal, the parties agreed that a
referendum for the population of southern Sudan - the scene of fierce fight-
ing between Khartoum and the SPLM/A since 1983 - be conducted in six
years' time to choose between secession or to remain within a united Sudan.
In the interim, negotiations are to continue on the modalities of a cease-fire
and the normalization of the situation to facilitate the return of over three
million displaced Southern Sudanese to their home areas. The Sudanese gov-
ernment and the rebels also have to agree on the disengagement of forces and
whether they want to invite foreign observers to monitor the truce. Ahead of
the negotiators lies the intricate issue of the sharing of power and wealth,
particularly oil revenue during the six-year interim period up to 2008.
Several key issues that are centrally relevant to the resolution of the con-
flict emerge from an overview of the major agreements and peace initiatives:
Generally, there has been some recognition of the need to ensure good
governance over economic and natural resources and to ensure equitable
distribution of wealth and power in order to foster a harmonious society
in the Sudan.
Most initiatives recognise the need for the decentralisation of economic
and political powers to enhance the management of affairs.
Most initiatives have assumed that decentralisation is a southern concern
that does not necessarily permeate the whole of Sudan.
There is an emerging recognition that the conflict in the Sudan is increas-
ingly over critical resources. For this reason, peace initiatives are increas-
ingly seeking to address the issue of environmental and natural resource
management definitively. The means to do so, however, remain elusive.