Sudan and South Sudan Plan Strategic Partnership Amid Political Tensions

Sudan and South Sudan are set to establish a strategic partnership in economic, political, and security files, according to Ambassador Jamal Malik. Malik affirmed Sudan's interest in its relationship with South Sudan, considering it a key player in the peace process and a special neighboring country.

The planned partnership aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various areas. It comes amidst reports of political tensions in South Sudan, with allegations of President Salva Kiir Mayardit exploiting his executive authority to garner political support and stifle opposition.

Why this matters: The strategic partnership between Sudan and South Sudan has significant implications for regional stability, as it can influence the trajectory of South Sudan's fragile peace process and impact the security landscape of the entire region. Furthermore, the success of this partnership may set a precedent for similar collaborations between neighboring countries in Africa, promoting economic growth and cooperation.

A UN Panel of Experts on South Sudan released a report on Friday accusing Kiir of using state powers to extend his support base beyond his stronghold of Greater Bahr el Ghazal. The report states, "For several years, President Kiir and his supporters in national and local government have leveraged the benefits of his incumbency and the SPLM brand to conduct rallies and mobilization campaigns across much of South Sudan."

The report also alleges that senior members of the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) have violated regulations by participating in SPLM political activities. "Government security forces have been deployed as part of several SPLM rallies. In one rally in Eastern Equatoria State, for example, senior SSPDF officers and units participated while wearing SPLM-branded clothing," the report notes.

President Kiir has allegedly used his executive authority to build support and undermine opposition parties by appointing and removing dozens of officials at every level of government. The report suggests that the main armed opposition SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Riek Machar, has seen a decline in membership since Machar's return to Juba following the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in 2018.

Meanwhile, the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction, a key armed opposition group, has not been invited to the ongoing peace negotiations in Nairobi between the government and non-signatories to the revitalized peace agreement. Jordan Manpiny, head of the group's foreign relations committee, expressed concerns that their exclusion could have negative consequences, citing their significant military presence and influence on the country's security and political situation.

The strategic partnership between Sudan and South Sudan comes at a critical time as South Sudan grapples with internal political challenges. While the partnership aims to strengthen ties and cooperation, the exclusion of key opposition groups from the peace process raises questions about its potential effectiveness in achieving lasting stability. As Ambassador Malik emphasized, South Sudan remains a crucial player in the region's peace and security landscape.