ConflictBarometer_2015

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
With the number of wars in the region rising by one to five, the situation in Sudan and South Sudan remained highly
volatile. In Sudan, the year was marked by the general elections held in April when Omar al-Bashir was re-elected president,
thereby securing his third term in office since he came into power through a military coup in 1989. While the political
and armed opposition boycotted the elections, the government intensified its crackdown on opposition groups, especially
on rebel groups active in the country's peripheries of Darfur, Blue Nile, and West Kordofan [→ Sudan (Darfur); Sudan
(SPLM/A-North/South Kordofan, Blue Nile)]. In the first half of the year, al-Bashir launched operation ''Decisive Summer 2',
the second phase of last year's military campaign. Although al-Bashir had called for the African Union/United Nations hybrid
operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to leave the country in late 2014, in June the mission extended its mandate by another year
due to the deteriorating security situation in the region. In South Sudan, the war between the governing Sudan People's
Liberation Movement (SPLM/A) under President Salva Kiir and its splinter faction Sudan People's Liberation Movement
in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by former vice president Riek Marchar continued [→ South Sudan (SPLM/A-in-Opposition)].
Meanwhile, violence between different tribes and subtribes over scarce resources such as arable land and water as well
as cattle also increased in the context of instability and arms proliferation in the country [→ South Sudan (intercommunal
violence)]. The announcement of President Kiir to solve the crisis by creating 28 new states was repeatedly criticized
by various opposition groups, also leading to the emergence of a new militant group called Revolutionary Movement for
National Salvation (REMNASA) [→ South Sudan (various militias)]. Due to the ongoing conflicts in both countries, the food
situation further deteriorated, leaving thousands at risk of starvation.
South Africa saw a new wave of violence against immigrants from other African countries. Throughout the year, various
attacks on foreign nationals left dozens dead, leading to diplomatic tensions with some of the victims' countries of origin [→
South Africa (anti-immigrants immigrants)]. In Mozambique, the biggest opposition party Mozambican National Resistance
(RENAMO) continued to fight the government of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) and increasingly promoted
autonomy. Regardless of a peace agreement that had been signed on 09/05/14, RENAMO and police forces continuously
clashed throughout the year, leaving around 45 people dead and RENAMO repeatedly threatening to seize control of
Mozambique's six northern and central provinces [ → Mozambique (RENAMO)]. In Madagascar, the conflict between I Love
Madagascar (TIM) and the party of ex-president Andry Rajoelina, Tanora malaGasy Vonona (TGV), was settled in 2015 due to
the official lifting of the house arrest of former president Marc Ravalomanana by Hery Rajaonarimampianina, president in
office [Madagascar (opposition)].
62