Violence Increases As Sudan Prepares For Southern Independence

As the July 9 secession date draws near for Southern Sudan, tensions are rising as both Sudanese and the international community prepare for it.

The Sudanese army has increased its efforts to stamp out rebellion, attacking villages and threatening to shoot down UN helicopters. According to the New York Times, officials in the Nuba Mountain region of Southern Kordofan estimate that hundreds of civilians have been killed in the offensive. Fears are rising that the campaign may lead to a resurgence in "ethnic cleansing" and a replay of the crisis in Darfur.

Meanwhile, in Southern Sudan, many expatriates have returned home, hoping for greater opportunities—particularly women. According to Trust Law, women now hold 34 percent of the seats in parliament, having won more than the 25 percent minimum held for them in government "decision-making bodies." Girls are being encouraged to stay in school, and in order to decrease deaths of young girls in childbirth, the legal age for marriage has been raised to 18.

For more information on the situation in Southern Kordofan, see the New York Times' coverage. For more information on opportunities for women in Southern Sudan, see the analysis on Trust Law.