| Summary/Danger |
The current negotiations to end the Sudanese civil war are reaching a dead end. On the side of the government, the SPLA demands for rule over Southern Sudan, edge on dismemberment of the country and is against the Machakos Protocol of unity of Sudan. Despite the waning of the negotiations, Southern Sudan which used to be the main scene of massacres, has reportedly remained largely calm since the latest massacres in Darfur, when the government admitted at least 7,000 displaced persons. The government bears the bigger responsibility for the killings by either directly conducting operations or using militia groups. The SPLA (Sudanese People’s Liberation Army), the opposition, is responsible for the smaller part, together with other affiliated militias.
The remote spots of Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains range, have been under terror latest since 1983. In an attempt to impose Islam on the Dinka, Nuer and Nuba people, a mixture of Christians, animists and local religions, the Islamic government has consistently oppressed non-Arab ethnic minorities. Lack of international observance has led in the first half of 2002 to massive human rights abuses in oil-rich Southern Sudan, recently involving man-induced famine in the dry season, raiding of villages, displacement, denial of humanitarian aid. General genocidal behavior involves, slave-taking, mutilation, massive killings and child-soldier taking. The failure of the current negotiations might have grave consequences for the human rights situation.
