Contested Borders: Continuing Tensions over the Sudan-South Sudan Border

This Working Paper focuses on developments in the border zone from July 2013 to September 2014. Among its findings: • The negotiations over the final location of the border, stalled since early 2013, are unlikely to resume in the near future; in fact, both countries have a vested interest in not agreeing on a final border. To date, the parties have used the negotiations over the border as weapons in other negotiations. • Since mid-2013 the focus of diplomatic negotiations has shifted from the final location of the border to the establishment and location of a ‘temporary’ SDBZ. However, despite both sides repeatedly committing to the establishment of a demilitarized zone, the border remains militarized (see Small Arms Survey, 2014b).