Sudan and South Sudan Reach Tentative Agreement on Oil and Security Issues

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19738921

The world's newest country may be entering a period of peace after decades of war. The South Sudan (populated mainly by Christians) and Sudan (populated mainly by Muslims) may finally be on the verge of meaningful peace treaty. This treaty could lay the framework that will allow both countries to finally recover from the devastating civil war that lasted from 1983 through 2005 and claimed more than two million lives.

The primary issue between the two countries is oil. Oil currently accounts for 98% of the revenue of South Sudan and up to 50% of the revenue of Sudan. However, up to 75% of the known oil reserves lie in South Sudan. All of the pipelines run from South Sudan through the Sudan. Obviously, the economics of this situation means that both countries are simply going to have to resolve their differences in a peaceful manner. Unfortunately, it has been reported that a demilitarized zone will separate the two countries, hopefully not as severe as the one between North and South Korea. The details are not yet known, but while it may never be possible for these two countries to move forward as partners, they may at last no longer be enemies.