Avoiding war is not enough; we need a promise of peace

Even better, the north should make an effort to undo some of the recent harm it has inflicted on the south, which is already grappling with the immense challenges of building a new nation.

Abyei on fire. Photo by: UN Photo/Stuart PriceGiven the northern army’s march into the disputed region of Abyei and the blockade of roads to the south, which led to crippling food and fuel shortages, it would be naive not to conclude that those loyal to president Omar al-Bashir have pursued an agenda to undermine the future Republic of South Sudan.

If al-Bashir promised to respect the south's determination to establish a sovereign state, why does he seem bent on reducing security, increasing hardship, and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee for their lives?

The bombing attacks on Southern Kordofan and Khartoum’s recent threat to cut off the south’s oil infrastructure, which is managed in the north, have only added to Juba’s nightmares.

By supporting rebels to disrupt the fragile peace in the region and sending his military to attack and take control of vulnerable areas, al-Bashir appears driven to punish the south for voting overwhelmingly for independence.

Since May, the north has literally cut off the supply line of its commodities to the south, which has no factories to meet its own population’s needs.

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The lack of fuel from Khartoum has had debilitating impacts on commerce in the south, with long lines of motorists in Juba obliged to spend hours waiting at gas stations for their turn at the pump.

Is this any way to encourage a future capital to prepare for independence?

To make matters worse, illegal fuel dealers on the black market have taken advantage of the crisis to exploit desperate consumers by selling a 1.5 litre bottle of petrol for as much as 6 US$. The same applies to many foodstuffs, whose prices have soared.

This seems criminal, considering most families in Southern Sudan scrape by on less than a dollar a day.

Fuel scarcity and high prices have disrupted daily life so much that motorists have left their vehicles at filling stations or at home until affordable petrol becomes available. Anyone trying to travel from one place to another has to stand by the roadside for long periods in hopes of flagging a taxi.

Listen to Charlton Doki’s report: Southern Sudan hit by severe
fuel shortages

Since the region has no source of cheap electricity, most facilities using fuel-run generators for electricity have been crippled, including government institutions and health centres. In Juba, many offices have been forced to close.

Only the strongest institutions, such as international organisations that rely on foreign support, can still afford to purchase the scarce fuel at high prices.

If this sorry state of affairs continues, Southern Sudan will have little semblance of true independence to celebrate, because the partner from whom it needs the most cooperation - north Sudan - is not playing fair.

Historically marginalised, the region on the verge of sovereignty that was largely deprived of real return for its oil wealth now faces a host of vengeful farewell gestures from Khartoum.

Read also: "Southern Sudanese brace for food and fuel crisis" by Charlton Doki

Has the north already forgotten how it financed its own development through resources exploited from the south, whose people now live in a vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and hunger?

Long after north and south Sudan divide into separate nations on 9 July, they will remain interdependent in trade, technology, education and health. It is in the interest of both countries to forge friendly relations as close neighbours in the spirit of mutual acceptance and common humanity.

But for this to happen, the north has to lay down its arms and swallow its envy.

For its part, the south must take a deep, collective breath, keep its promise to stay out of war, and prepare for the challenge of a lifetime.