06/15/2006

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Below is an excerpt of an article from United Press International:

WASHINGTON, (UPI) - Oil exploration in southern Sudan - separate from the Darfur area plagued by violence - is creating even more refugees, according to Refugees International.

"While the conflict in Darfur has justifiably drawn world-wide attention, violence and forced displacement in the south resulting from oil activity are largely overlooked," Refugees International stated in a policy recommendation issued Thursday.

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Refugees International traveled to Sudan in March 2006 to interview people about force displacement due to oil investment rather than political violence.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) reached in January 2005 meant to end civil war opened the semi-autonomous southern Sudan to oil companies, according to Refugees International, but also may be setting the conditions for ongoing conflict. The peace agreement requires a referendum on the political future of southern Sudan. There is the possibility it will choose autonomy from Khartoum, which endangers the central government's access to southern Sudan's potential oil wealth.

"Using militia, South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF), bribery and other tactics, the (ruling National Congress Party) seeks to demonstrate that the CPA has been unsuccessful to insure that the south cannot secede," Refugees International said.