Darfur and the Push for Southern Sudanese Independence

Sudan's military has launched several airstrikes within Southern Sudan's territory, near the border with the restive region of Darfur. Khartoum claims that Darfuri rebels are moving farther south and that historic links between these groups and Southern Sudan are once again intensifying. However, Southern Sudan's referendum on independence from the north is in less than a month, and Khartoum could be trying to provoke a response from Southern Sudan in hopes of delaying the vote.