Still, many in southern Sudan expect a renewal of the conflict with the
Khartoum regime. The southern government was believed to be accumulating
weapons and accelerating training to enhance its military.
"The government of Southern Sudan's security decision-making continues
to be driven by what it perceives to be the unresolved conflict with the
north," the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey said.
[On June 14, the United Nations reported the killing of at least 40
south Sudanese soldiers and civilians in an ambush on international relief
river barges. The casualties were said to have included soldiers from SPLA.]
The $385 million UN reintegration program, launched on June 11 in Juba,
has been regarded as key to the 2005 accord that ended civil war in southern
Sudan in which two million people
died. The program does not include the current revolt in the eastern
province of Darfour.
In February 2009, the UN began a similar process of integrating rebels
in northern Sudan. Under DDR, 180,000 northern fighters would be assisted
and trained to reenter civilian life.
Western diplomats said implementation of the 2005 agreement has been
slow amid tribal rivalry and violence. The agreement was also meant to
integrate rebels in northern Sudan.
Officials said rebels in both the north and south have not begun talks
with the Khartoum regime on a reduction of forces. The Sudanese military has
also not withdrawn from these areas.
"DDR is one of the many components of the peace process," UN deputy
coordinator for southern Sudan Lise Grande said. "Its success depends also
on the achievement of all the other benchmarks
of the CPA [comprehensive peace agreement]."
Another snag has been disagreement between Khartoum and former rebels
over the division of crude oil fields. The southern Sudanese government has
insisted that it must control oil fields to ensure revenue for
reconstruction.
Under the accord, elections would be held in February 2010. One year
later, southerners would be allowed to vote on a referendum on whether to
secede from Khartoum.
The southern Sudanese government said the drop in the price of oil has
reduced revenues allocated for reconstruction as well as integration of the
rebels. In May 2009, Southern President Salva Kiir said projected revenues
in 2009 were already down by 50 percent.
The Kiir government has pledged $30 million for the program. Donor
nations have pledged another $88 million.
"This funding will be specifically for the provision of good-quality,
environmentally sustainable, low-cost homes for ex-combatants," Southern
Sudanese Minister of Cabinet Affairs Luka Monoja said. "The money will
enable suitable ex-combatants to gain the skills they need to take the lead
in building such homes for their colleagues."