Quarrels over high-value natural resources such as oil, gas or diamonds are seen as having contributed to causing violence or exacerbating hostilities in many intra-state conflicts. Under these circumstances, wealth sharing arrangements, readdressing the way in which natural resources are managed and shared among the different parties are pivotal in conflict transformation. This conference paper identifies the effect of wealth sharing arrangements in the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Northern and Southern Sudan on political stability during the transition period which lasted until 2011. Wealth sharing in this conference paper is used as a collective term for arrangements in peace treaties or constitutions addressing violent resource-related intra state conflicts by reorganizing decision making power over high-value natural resources. Departing from an analysis of the role of oil during conflict it, is analyzed how the mechanisms linking natural resources to conflict have been addressed by the provisions on wealth sharing. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan has been chosen as a case study for three main reasons: First, oil is seen to have played a crucial role during conflict and after the signing of the agreement. Second, the agreement includes a wide range of provisions on the reorganization of oil management. Finally, the issue is particularly timely since oil remains one of the most disputed issues between Sudan the newly established state of South Sudan. This study is primarily based on secondary literature of peace and conflict studies. In addition, a small number of expert interviews will be conducted to enrich and validate the analysis.
