Security in southern Sudan

The UN noted this week that more people have died in tribal violence in southern Sudan this year than in the conflict in Darfur. With national elections scheduled for early next year, and a referendum on southern secession to follow in 2011, the chance of more violence, especially around the disputed north-south border regions, is only going to increase. And if the south does actually manage to secede, the new country is going to face significant challenges in avoiding its own internal strife. The Small Arms Survey and Safer World have a worthwhile issue brief looking at several aspects of security in southern Sudan.