Posted by Mollie Zapata on Apr 24, 2012
The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, released two new reports,
documenting the latest developments in the conflict raging on the border
between Sudan and South Sudan.
The conflict has become increasingly violent since the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, or SPLA, advanced on Heglig
on April 9. Heglig (known as Panthou to the South Sudanese) is a
disputed territory, with both nations claiming that it is within their
borders. The area provides an estimated half of Sudan’s oil resources,
making it an economically critical location
.
The first report “Pipeline: Evidence of the Destruction of Key Oil Infrastructure, Heglig,”
published April 22, shows that some type of explosion apparently
destroyed an oil collection manifold, which allows oil flows to be
separated or combined without interruption. Based on Harvard
Humanitarian Initiative analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, SSP
concluded that the damage to this key oil infrastructure will likely
stop oil flow in the area.
SSP cannot identify whether aerial bombardments or ground attacks
caused the damage, and each army blames the other. On April 15, South
Sudan's information minister said, “They [Sudan Armed Forces, or SAF]
are bombing the central processing facility and the [oil] tanks to
rubble as we speak.” However, on April 21, Sudan’s acting minister of
information asserted that the government of Sudan possessed evidence of
intentional sabotage to the oil installations carried out by forces of
the SPLA as they withdrew from Heglig on April 20.
“This destruction of oil infrastructure benefits neither side,” said Enough Project Executive Director John C. Bradshaw in a statement
issued with the release of the SSP report. “To avoid the mutually
disastrous consequences of an all-out war, both Sudans must return to
the negotiating table to iron out a comprehensive peace deal that
resolves the underlying issues, including border demarcation and oil
revenue sharing.”
The set of publically available DigitalGlobe satellite imagery
depicts cratering consistent with bombardment. Before and after images
show the apparent destruction of the oil collection manifold, and tanks,
military logistics vehicles (HETs), and heavy equipment transports in
the region.
The second report, “Escalation: Evidence of SAF and SPLA Combat Operations,”
released April 23, shows a dramatic increase in the number of military
strike aircraft at two SAF airbases in range of South Sudan. SSP
concluded that the military aircraft identified at Sudan’s airbases in
El Obeid, North Kordofan, and Kadugli, South Kordofan, “may represent a
significant portion” of SAF’s total combat-capable air assets. Imagery
also shows craters consistent with bombardment of an apparent civilian
area in Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan’s Unity state.
Though it appears that SAF is on the offensive, neither side appears inculpable. Imagery
shows evidence that SPLA and southern-aligned forces looted a SAF
military base in Heglig, which is a violation of international law
governing the conduct of land warfare.
“This report documents evidence of disregard for basic laws of war by all parties to this widening conflict,” said Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy Executive
Director Charlie Clements, MD. “All parties have responsibilities under
international law to protect civilian lives and property.”
The region remains tense and both sides in addition to the international community fear that the fighting will spread to engulf a wider swath of the border region.
After the April 9 invasion of Heglig, Sudan declared that it would no
longer negotiate with South Sudan. Late on Friday, April 20, President
Obama urged the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan
to “have the courage to return to the table and negotiate and resolve
these issues peacefully." However, Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir,
responded that there would be "no negotiation with those people
[in Juba]." He also engaged in eliminationist rhetoric, vowing to
“liberate” South Sudan from the ruling SPLM, which he called “insects.”
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