Fighting in Sudan threatens to destabilize entire region | DW News

 

The UN is warning Sudan is on the brink of a full-scale civil war that could destabilize the entire region - as fighting between rival generals shows no sign of easing. In the latest flare-up an airstrike on a residential area in the city of the Omdurman killed at least 22 civilians. It's one of the worst attacks in the 3-month conflict. The fighting between Sudan's military ruler and a powerful para-military group has already displaced about three million people. Egypt is to host a summit of Sudan's neighbors next week.

Live Broadcast From Korea's Arirang T.V. From The Inter Korean Summit

Who is to blame for famine in South Sudan?

The United Nations says millions are going hungry in the world's newest country.

South Sudan has huge areas of fertile land but many of its people are dying from hunger.

The crisis is man-made, following years of civil war and a collapsing economy.

Government leaders and the United Nations have declared famine conditions in Unity State in the north where around 100,000 people are on the verge of starvation.

The UN says five million South Sudanese - that's about half the population - are in need of urgent help. Around a quarter of a million are severely malnourished.

Are South Sudan's leaders benefiting from conflict?

A report from a watchdog accuses South Sudanese leaders of amassing vast fortunes as millions struggle to survive.

South Sudan gained its independence five years ago with much fanfare. 

It was hailed as the world's newest nation with an incredible amount of optimism.

But a bitter rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar resulted in civil war.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions more have been displaced from their homes.

Many fear the country is fast becoming a failed state.

A new investigation from the Sentry Group - cofounded by Hollywood actor George Clooney - has found that while most of the population lives in near famine conditions, top officials are getting richer.

The War the World Forgot

People and Power investigates the forgotten war taking place on the borders between North and South Sudan.



It's one of Africa's most bitter, if often forgotten, conflicts.

In 2011, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan following a 2005 peace deal that ended Africa's longest-running civil war.

After a referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of South Sudanese voted to secede, Africa's newest country came into being, the first since Eritrea split from Ethiopia in 1993.

But two Sudanese provinces, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, the people of which predominantly wanted to become citizens of the new nation, were excluded from the deal.

The SPLM-N, the northern affiliate of Sudan's People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan, consequently took up arms against the Sudanese government of President Omar al-Bashir, and fighting has continued on and off ever since.

China's Motive In South Sudan?

The duty of a responsible world power or protecting its own self-interests?

China may be Africa's biggest trade partner, but it has generally taken an arms length approach to the continent's conflicts and domestic difficulties.

China is now committing 700 combat troops to South Sudan to help bring peace to the world's newest nation. And on Monday, it sent Wang Yi, the foreign minister, to help mediate talks between South Sudan's warring factions.

China has invested billions of dollars in South Sudan, particularly in its oil production.

However, Yi rejects accusations that China has its own agenda. Speaking during talks across the border in Sudan's capital Khartoum, he said: "China's mediation of South Sudan issues is completely the responsibility and duty of a responsible power, and not because of China's own interests."