Sudan: The Rebel Threat to Khartoum

Rebel activity and successes in the Darfur and Kordofan regions of Sudan have been increasing. While the rebels' claims that they will march on Khartoum are unrealistic, the failure of the Sudanese armed forces to contain the rebellion has allowed rebel forces to threaten Khartoum's grip on the western region of Darfur and the southern region of Kordofan. Sudan can continue to exist only if the Arab-dominated core along the Nile in the center of the country can continue to control these two regions. Khartoum must therefore devote even greater attention to thwarting the rebels while simultaneously managing the challenge posed by South Sudan.