Depending on how locals and outsiders react to events in Sudan, the secession referendum scheduled for January could trigger either the country's partition or a new explosion of violence.

While the crisis in Darfur simmers, the larger problem of Sudan's survival as a state is becoming increasingly urgent. Old tensions between the Arabs of the Nile River valley, who have held power for a century, and marginalized groups on the country's periphery are turning into a national crisis. Engagement with Khartoum may be the only way to avert another civil war in Sudan, and even that may not be enough.

The January 9 referendum on southern Sudan's secession is expected to go smoothly, but some experts caution that disputes over oil and land, and the south's volatility, could mean a violent transition.

The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for abuses committed in Darfur. The historic move augurs further upheaval for troubled Sudan.

A move to indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir meets a sharp response from Arab and African leaders and raises questions about the future of Sudan's peace process.

Renewed fighting in South Sudan has experts fearing a civil war that could spiral beyond Sudan's borders.

Darfur peace talks faltered this weekend. Delegates are scrambling to put them back on track, as violence continues in Darfur.

International attention is riveted on bringing Darfur’s rebel groups to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, peace in Sudan’s south appears increasingly fragile.

African countries are increasingly called upon to provide peacekeepers for conflicts on their continent, but they may be reaching the limits of their capacity.

After numerous failed peace attempts, Cote d’Ivoire forged a “homegrown” peace agreement this spring, raising questions about the role of international mediators in Africa peace processes.  

Sudan’s acceptance of a hybrid UN/AU force in Darfur may allow diplomatic efforts to turn toward long-neglected peace negotiations, but there is little consensus on the way forward.

President Bush ups pressure on the Sudanese government with new economic sanctions but it remains unclear how much leverage the United States has on its own.

International efforts have focused on getting UN peacekeepers into Darfur. But what about a peace agreement?

As the one-year anniversary of the Darfur peace agreement approaches, the Sudanese president agrees to a partial deployment of UN troops but many wonder if it just another diplomatic feint.

Ban Ki-moon travels to the African Union summit in the hopes of convincing Sudan to accept an AU-UN force in Darfur.

As the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region escalates, neighbors Chad and the Central African Republic face growing instability spurred by their own rebel groups. At the center of the spreading conflict is Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is pushing for a hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force in Sudan’s Darfur region. Khartoum has "agreed in principle" to such an operation, but details such as the size of the force remain to be determined.

Inaction in the face of genocide in Darfur breeds death in the region, but also contempt for international laws and voices which have demanded action—so far to no avail.