Dr. Faiz OmarCentre for Peace and Development

Studies- University of Bahri- SudanJune 2013

Challenges and Aspirations of State building in

S.Sudan

Secession and Self-determination Despite the long history of wars and armed conflicts in Africa, actual state secessions and partitions, that took place, were relatively few as compared to the history of Europe or Asia.

ContinueThe breakup of Eritrea from Ethiopia after 30 yrs long war was the only successful example in the 20th century post-colonial Africa.

Continue…..Katanga in DRC, Biafra in Nigeria, Casamance in Senegal, Southern Sudan, were among the most important secession attempts, last century.

Although Somaliland seceded in 1991, it has to wait quite some time before it enjoys international recognition

ArgumentsGlobal political and juristic traditions has established the right of self-determination for groups/minorities to be achieved/accessed through what could be called voluntary 'internal self-determination', according to normal regional autonomy arrangements offering groups/minorities level of political, social, and cultural independence

Counter-argumentsNationalism and territorial integrity are frequently used by the ruling elite in Africa as counter argument against secessionist movements, coupled with the international legacy promoting principles of sovereignty.

The O.A.U. LegacyMoreover the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U) has further reinforced these principles, especially holding the inherited colonial boundaries between countries, as sacred.

Two Waves of SecessionDecolonization period: as exemplified by DRC, Western Sahara, Biafra,…etc.

Post-Cold War era: as in the case of Eritrea, Somaliland, Azwade in Mali, South Sudan.

Secession of S.SudanSouth Sudan, is a very important example of secession in post-colonial Africa, based on an internationally recognized referendum on self-determination.

Partition of the Country

Secession/IndependencePeople of the Sudan call this “separation/secession”, whereas people in the Republic of South Sudan prefer to call it “Independence”,

South Sudan

State Structures and Institutioncurrent state structures and institutions in South Sudan, unlike those of Somalia, Somaliland, or Eritrea, owe origin to the interim period 2005-2011, of C.P.A. concluded in between Government of Sudan and Sudan Liberation Movement SPLM/SPLA, before secession from the (mainland) Sudan.

Regional Autonomy ExperienceS. Sudan had an earlier experience of being an autonomous region after the Addis Ababa Agreement between 1972-1982 within a unitary system of rule.

Challenge and Aspiration The very incident of secession was actually an aspiration for the people as well as a challenge for the ruling elite.

The ruling elite has to change focus to oversee a civilian population rather than a military apparatus.

Professionalization as a Challenge

SPLA as an army needs to transform into a professional army, SPLM needs to tranform into a political party, the police, prisons, …..etc.

Transitional Constitution

The Transitional Constitution of South Sudan came into force in July 2011, establishing a Presidential system of rule, headed by a President who is the Head of State and Head of Government, and Commander-in Chief of the Army.

Federal Type of Rule. It goes without saying that Transitional Constitution opted for a decentralized federal type of administration in line with the Sudanese predecessor state.

Suitability of Federalism

Heated debate is going on among the elite over the suitability of federal system to situations in S. Sudan.

However the essence of that was competition over power between the Nilotics and the Eqatorians.

Ethnic Interpretation of Rule Systems

It will appear as if by adopting the federal option, the government is serving the interrests of Equatorians at the expense of the Nilotic tribes, therefore it becomes an ethnic interpretation of whichever mode of governance chosen.

Oil PoliticsAlmost all the natural resources of both Sudan and S.South are concentrated in the border area between both countries, including oil.

. Although oil production fields are located within the geographical territory of S.Sudan, most of the necessary infrastructure – pipelines, refineries and ports- lie all along the mainland Sudan.

Differences over transit fees coupled with accusations and counteraccusation were factors that lead S. Sudanese to take the decision to halt oil production withering away any expectation that South Sudan’s independence will quickly make improvements in the daily lives of citizens.

Immediate ImpactsGRSS declared that service delivery and planned development activities will be suspended for at least 30 months, salary cut-down within civil and security services are unavoidable, the UN has warned that shifting government priorities following the freezing of oil production could worsen existing levels of food insecurity

Alternative PipelineGovernment of S.Sudan went as far as thinking of constructing another pipeline going southward to facilitate oil export through Kenya Lamu port

Oil: Economic Resource or Political Asset

In the current Sudan - S.Sudan relation the use of oil as a political weapon, is so destructive for both economies, as is evident in rising inflation rates in Sudan, and loss of main if not the only source of revenue for S.Sudan economy.

Security ConcernIn South Sudan is in two-fold First: Internal public security and rule of law has to be maintained

Second: Efficient and professional apparatus has to be built or started to protect the country

Professional Security Service

The task of professionalizing SPLA – later renamed- South Sudan Armed Forces (SSAF), should necessarily involve demobilizing considerable percentage of the current 250000 troops including 800 generals

Demobilization will face resistance in the absence of alternative civilian livelihood opportunities for long-serving combatants

Moreover, GORSS will hardly tolerate any downsizing of troops in the light of persistent threat in different points in the northern border with the Sudan

International SupportGORSS receives strong international support from donors in different fields including security. Mostly objectives sought by donors face difficulties in such transitional situations. In the security sector, the main challenges is that civilian control over SPLA soldiers or officers is non-existent.

In ConclusionThe most important challenge in the whole process of state building in S.Sudan is the development of an appropriate political culture, to inform internal harmony of government performance between the various political, cultural, tribal, and military components in the resource-rich South Sudan.