Southern Sudan has been plagued with violence during the last few months as it seeks to gain independence from the rest of the country. Last week alone, more than 150 people were killed. General Gabriel Tang, a southern Sudanese rebel leader, a longtime enemy of souther Sudan’s ruling party and accused of the 2006 massacre, is said to have surrendered last Sunday night after months of fighting against a southern army. 67 rebels were reportedly killed in that clash.
The closer southern Sudan gets to independence, the more unstable the region appears. Numerous southern Sudanese rebellions have broken out after the referendum on independence was approved in January. The tension between the north and south has been exacerbated – especially in the region of Abyei.
According to a United Nations report, more than 800 civilians have been killed since January with both the southern Sudanese government and rebels committing human rights abuse. Southern Sudanese officials have been implicated in human rights abuse against the government’s own security officers in a police training program that is supported by the United Nations.
While northern and southern participated in the United Nations disarmament program, few have actually begun the process, leaving the country volatile. More deaths are projected as the country inches closer to independence.
