Failure of CPA in Sudan could cause crisis

LONDON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A Darfur-like crisis could spread across the whole of Sudan if the Comprehensive Peace Agreement fails, according to a Chatham House report released Friday.

The report, released by the London-based think tank Chatham House, says there are serious concerns about an escalation of violence across much of Sudan similar to the ongoing rebel violence in the country's western Darfur region, if the leaders in the country fail to act on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Chatham House reported.

The CPA, a peace deal signed by Sudan's National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Army in 2005, ended decades of war. But implementation of the CPA has stalled, threatening stability in the country.

The report, authored by Edward Thomas and titled "Against the Gathering Storm: Securing Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement," calls on leaders in Sudan and the international community to support the CPA and ensure the proposals are implemented.

"The CPA's proposals for a fairer division of wealth and power could stop this fragmentation. If they are not implemented, Sudan could see a replication of the crisis in Darfur across the country," the release said.