‘Both Sudan and South Sudan have troops in the Demilitarized Zone’: report

A new report by Enough Project and Satellite Sentinel Project points to evidence that Sudan and South Sudan have both violated bilateral agreements to create a Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ). DigitalGlobe satellite imagery acquired in May and June 2013 suggests possible violations at least 14 locations within the zone. The report, “Troops in the Demilitarised Zone: Confirmation of Violations by Sudan and South Sudan”, claims to prove with satellite images that the two countries violated an agreement from September 2012 to create a SDBZ along their shared border. It was required that all forces be completely withdrawn from the SDBZ by 5 April, 2013. A review by DigitalGlobe Analytics of satellite imagery from this month concludes the contrary, reads part of the report. “Satellite imagery supports the conclusion that the SPLA (of South Sudan) maintain military installations or checkpoints in at least nine locations along the border, while the SAF (of Sudan) have positions with visible tanks and heavy artillery in at least five locations along the border,” the Enough Project states. Map: Enough Project View the full report here (PDF)