Frontiers Of Unity: An Experiment in Afro-Arab Cooperation - Softcover

This book deals with the conflict between Northern and Southern Sudan over the Abeyi region and other border areas. This area has historically been a model of peaceful coexistence and cooperation but since its independence it has become a point of violent confrontation. Frontiers of Unity provides an essential background to the complexities of the conflict, looking at the factors behind it and calling for the resolution of Africa’s longest running dispute.

First written in 1972, after the agreement that ended the war in Sudan, the original text has been supplemented by additions and modifications to update its relevance to the current situation in Southern Sudan. In 1983, the continuing dispute in Abyei led to the resumption of hostilities and the eventual escalation into a full-fledged armed struggle under the leadership of the SPLM/A, which continues today. Without resolving the cause of Abyei and the other border areas of the Nuba and Southern Blue Nile, no sustainable peace between the North and South is possible.

This important historical document will be of great relevance to scholars of African-Arab relations, conflict and peace studies and nation building.

Francis Deng is Special Advisor of the U.N. Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. He has served as Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons, as Ambassador of Sudan to a number of nations and as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Sudan.