Less than three months remain before Sudan divides into two, the Republic of South Sudan is scheduled to declare independence on July 9th, 2011.  The referendum in January on southern secession was remarkably smooth, but recent developments are troubling. The status of Abyei remains in dispute.  Violence in the south is on the rise, and the conflict in Darfur remains unresolved.  Regional and international engagement – especially by the African Union and the United States – remains critical to supporting Sudan’s north and south in the creation of two viable states, and to preventing future violence.

Looking ahead to southern Sudan’s secession and the future of both resulting states, three members of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan), former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya, and former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, discussed the current situation and their efforts to support two peaceful Sudans.

Speakers

• President Thabo Mbeki
  Former President of South Africa
  Head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan)

• President Pierre Buyoya
  Former President of Burundi
  Member, African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan)

• President Abdulsalami Abubakar
  Former President of Nigeria
  Member, African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan)

• Tara Sonenshine, Introductions
  Executive Vice President
  U.S. Institute of Peace

• David Smock, Moderator
  Senior Vice President
  U.S. Institute of Peace

Explore Further

• Read the News Feature about the event
• Countries and Regions: Sudan

If you are interested in this event, you may also be interested in the following Academy Courses:

• Conflict Analysis on Africa's Great Lakes Region
• Social Reconstruction and Human Security
• Negotiations from Checkpoints to High Politics