washingtonpost.com > Photo

Will Sudan split?

George Clooney and John Prendergast travel to the border region of northern and southern Sudan, where a referendum this January will decide if the south will secede from the north.

A soldier from southern Sudan stands guard in the town of Abyei, along the border between northern and southern Sudan. If southern Sudan votes to secede from the north in a January referendum, the civil war that ended in 2005 could start up again. If that happens, oil-rich Abyei could be on the frontlines.

A soldier from southern Sudan stands guard in the town of Abyei, along the border between northern and southern Sudan. If southern Sudan votes to secede from the north in a January referendum, the civil war that ended in 2005 could start up again. If that happens, oil-rich Abyei could be on the frontlines.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Southern Sudanese soldiers stand guard outside the governor's offices in Abyei. Abyei has been the site of intense fighting between northern and southern Sudanese forces over the past two years.

Southern Sudanese soldiers stand guard outside the governor's offices in Abyei. Abyei has been the site of intense fighting between northern and southern Sudanese forces over the past two years.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Students perform a traditional dance in the village of Marial Bai, the site of heavy fighting during Sudan's civil war, which ended in 2005. During the war, some of the children who fled the country became known as "the Lost Boys of Sudan."

Students perform a traditional dance in the village of Marial Bai, the site of heavy fighting during Sudan's civil war, which ended in 2005. During the war, some of the children who fled the country became known as "the Lost Boys of Sudan."

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, a Washington-based anti-genocide organization, is pictured traveling along the Nile River to visit a camp for displaced people in southern Sudan.

John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, a Washington-based anti-genocide organization, is pictured traveling along the Nile River to visit a camp for displaced people in southern Sudan.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Prendergast talks to students on the streets of Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, who have lined the streets to welcome the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council traveled to Sudan on a fact-finding mission ahead of January's referendum on southern independence.

Prendergast talks to students on the streets of Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, who have lined the streets to welcome the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council traveled to Sudan on a fact-finding mission ahead of January's referendum on southern independence.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

The 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan's 20-year civil war called for the January referendum on self-determination for the south.

The 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan's 20-year civil war called for the January referendum on self-determination for the south.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Most southerners favor independence from the Khartoum-based government in northern Sudan.

Most southerners favor independence from the Khartoum-based government in northern Sudan.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

George Clooney listens to tribal elders tell their stories in the town of Abyei, in southern Sudan. In 2008, troops from northern and southern Sudan clashed in Abyei, displacing an estimated 25,000 people.

George Clooney listens to tribal elders tell their stories in the town of Abyei, in southern Sudan. In 2008, troops from northern and southern Sudan clashed in Abyei, displacing an estimated 25,000 people.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

George Clooney talks to a village chief in Lul, on the banks of the Nile River in southern Sudan. Lul has been the site of clashes between rival southern tribes who have fought one another over resources and cattle.

George Clooney talks to a village chief in Lul, on the banks of the Nile River in southern Sudan. Lul has been the site of clashes between rival southern tribes who have fought one another over resources and cattle.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Soldiers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army ride in the back of a pickup in Abyei in southern Sudan.

Soldiers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army ride in the back of a pickup in Abyei in southern Sudan.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Students attend a class in Marial Bai, in southern Sudan. The school was started by Valentino Deng, a former Sudanese refugee.

Students attend a class in Marial Bai, in southern Sudan. The school was started by Valentino Deng, a former Sudanese refugee.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

If the south secedes from the north, it will be one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.

If the south secedes from the north, it will be one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.

Tim Freccia/Enough Project

Gallery Credits:

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content.

More on washingtonpost.com

• More Photo News

» washingtonpost.com

Network News

X Profile

View More Activity

© 2010 www.washingtonpost.com