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Cross‐Border Relations Beyond the Referendum
Challenges and Opportunities
State Workshop Summary, Renk, northern Upper Nile State, Sudan, May 20th‐22nd 2010
Building Consensus in Upper Nile State
This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, government officials and civil society representatives,
such as leaders of women and youth associations and religious leaders, from the Payams of Renk, Mabaan and Manyo
Counties in Northern Upper Nile State, which are adjacent to the 1/1/1956 border between Northern and Southern
Sudan. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to articulate principles and proposals to help
inform the management of the border and cross‐border relations; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a
sustainable Sudanese peace over the long term.
Project Aims:
◊ Build trust and understanding between border communities within and across border states;
◊ Develop consensus on principles for how the border should be managed peacefully;
◊ Develop proposals for development initiatives to support peaceful coexistence at the border;
◊ Introduce principles and proposals to relevant national and local peace processes, such as negotiations on
post‐2011 arrangements, and to inform donor policy to reflect local needs.
Visions and Aspirations
Participants expressed their aspirations for the North‐South borderlands in the post‐referendum period. First of
all, they would like the border to be demarcated according to the 1/1/1956 map and dispute the recently
conducted demarcation. As border communities, they wish to be engaged by the authorities when it comes to
decisions regarding the border, especially demarcation, because, they say, traditional chiefs have historical
knowledge of the location of the border and experience of managing cross‐border relations with neighbouring
tribes. Representatives of the border communities aspire to maintain good cross‐border relations with their
neighbours in White Nile State and improve relationships with
their neighbours in Blue Nile State.
CROSS‐BORDER RELATIONS PROJECT
Opportunities and Challenges
Challenges identified included: 1) Border demarcation; 2) Civilian Concordis International is working in Sudan in
partnership with the Centre for Peace and De‐
disarmament; 3) Redeployment of forces away from the border
velopment Studies (CPDS) of the University of
to create a military‐free zone; 4) Underdevelopment Juba to facilitate a research‐based dialogue
Opportunities included: 1) Enhancement of trade relationships; project aiming to inform local and national
2) Development of animal grazing corridors; 3) Improvement of peace and development processes, supporting
relations with neighbouring communities through dialogue; 4) cooperative, secure and economically viable
Free movement across the border, regulated by law. relations across Sudan’s North‐South border
beyond 2011.
Scenarios and Expectations
Concordis International Participants expected and expressed strong support for the December—February 2010
Jubilee House
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secession of Southern Sudan. However, they foresaw the risk Initial engagements in border states and devel‐
opment of methodology
Cambridge CB1 2NZ UK that the North would close the border, preventing freedom of
movement for people and goods, disrupting essential supplies to March‐June 2010
Tel: +44 (0)1223 341281
Fax: +44 (0)1223 566359 Northern Upper Nile, damaging social and economic relations, State workshops in Unity, Upper Nile, Abyei,
office@concordis-international.org contributing to conflict and instability. Nevertheless, participants South Kordofan, White Nile, and Blue Nile.
www.concordis-international.org
expressed hope for interaction and cooperation between all
Concordis International Trust is a levels of government and society from both sides of the border. June‐July 2010
non-profit UK company limited by Regional workshops bringing together communi‐
guarantee (No. 4930461) and a
registered UK charity (No. 1105697). Principles and Proposals ties from both sides of the border.
In Sudan, Concordis is registered
Participants agreed a number of recommendations which could
August –October 2010
with the Humanitarian Aid Commis- lead to a North‐South border resembling more closely their
sion and the Southern Sudan Relief
Policy briefings and national level conferences.
aspirations than their expected scenario. Their conclusions are
and Rehabilitation Commission
summarised overleaf and detailed in the full event report.
General Recommendations of Principles and Proposals to Inform Policy Making on Cross‐Border Relations, Border
Governance, and Post‐2011 Arrangements for Sudan.
These resolutions were agreed by border communities, and state authorities in Northern Upper Nile State. They will
inform discussions in forthcoming project workshops with counterparts from across the border. (A full report, with further
details on the participants’ recommendations can be downloaded from the Concordis website)
On Demarcation ◊ Services in the border areas should be available to local residents
◊ The populations of northern Upper Nile are dissatisfied with and migrating populations from the North.
the border demarcation process. ◊ More police stations and police officers are needed in the populated
◊ They have lost significant agricultural lands as a consequence border areas. The role of the police should be to work for the local
of the recent demarcation. communities, to protect their property and physical safety from
violence, and to protect people’s rights and the rule of law.
◊ They dispute the demarcation. They do not believe that it
accurately represents the 1/1/1956 border. ◊ However, the presence of military forces in the border areas is con‐
tributing to increased tension and insecurity. Therefore, the border
◊ They say that Khor Ayuel is the location of the 1956 border.
areas should be demilitarized. The SAF should move 10 km to the
◊ They say that their traditional authorities should have been North of the 1/1/1956 border, and the SPLA should move 10 km to
involved in the demarcation process, because they have the the South of the 1/1/1956 border. No military equipment or military
historical knowledge of the location of the border. The tradi‐ installations should be within 10 kilometres of the 1/1/1956 border.
tional authorities of the communities from both the north and But the police forces should remain in these areas.
the south would be able to agree on the accurate location of
◊ Courts are necessary in the border areas to maintain the rule of law
the 1/1/1956 border if they were involved in the demarcation
and to protect people’s rights. Traditional authorities and official
process.
state authorities should be involved in courts.
◊ When community representatives and traditional authorities
◊ In areas where there are mixed communities and populations from
have attempted to engage with the official demarcation
the other side of the border are present, traditional representatives
teams, they have been ignored, intimidated or assaulted. of all groups should be involved in court proceedings.
◊ Roads and bridges should be built to connect populations living
On Cross‐Border Relations along the border and across the border, as should river transport.
◊ Insecurity is the most significant challenge faced by border This will support connectedness and the commercial and agricultural
populations. The security of their lives and property is their interests of the border populations. Having such connections is in
highest priority. They require that the rule of law is upheld the interest of all populations along the border, on both sides of the
and people’s rights are respected. border.
◊ Border communities are also in need of basic social service ◊ Free movement of people and goods across the border is in the in‐
provision. Police stations, courts, clinics and medical stores, terest of the border populations. Freedom of movement should be
veterinary services, clean water supplies, schools, transport supported by the security forces.
infrastructure and electricity are all required in the populated ◊ These recommendations will be of long term benefit to the border
areas along the border. The administrators, civil leaders and populations in the event of either possible outcome of the referen‐
traditional authorities of these areas can identify the specific dum – Unity or Separation.
locations where such services should be established.
Participants and Facilitators
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