“This paper addresses two issues. First, it builds on an argument in earlier research on the Nuba Mountains that purely resource-based explanations are not sufficient to find comprehensive measures for conflict resolution, showing that any resource scarcity explanation needs to be incorporated in its prevailing socio-cultural and political context. It is further argued that the mere existence of resources is not necessarily a reason for conflict and that resources only gain prominence and become conflict-prone in the social context that dictates their desirability and value. For instance, in the case of the prolonged wars in Sudan’s periphery, resource-focused analyses alone cannot explain why conflicts have been
triggered in these politically and socio-economically marginalised areas. An explanation incorporating resource politics in a broad state and governance-based analysis with a significant socio-political dimension does, however, allow a conceptualised interpretation of these conflicts.”
