South Sudan on the brink after oil exports derailed by Sudan’s civil war

Violence and insecurity could worsen in South Sudan after one of its key oil pipelines to international markets, which passes through neighbouring Sudan, was damaged last month, according to experts.

A team of technical experts has been unable to fix the pipeline due to ongoing fighting, raising fears that South Sudan’s political economy could collapse.

Unless [South Sudan] is able to get the pipeline working again, it will be a massive pull on South Sudan’s budget,” said Alan Boswell, an expert on South Sudan for International Crisis Group, a non-profit dedicated to conflict resolution.

Kiir is preparing for an election at the end of December, even as the international community has expressed fears that South Sudan is nowhere near ready to hold a credible process unless “urgent steps” are taken.

Yakani, the peace activist, added that the lack of oil revenue will also accelerate the depreciation of South Sudan’s currency.

He noted that South Sudan already has pockets of armed violence, which could be exacerbated if economic conditions worsen for local communities

Boswell added that the IMF could be another option, even though South Sudan struggles to repay loans it took out during oil production stoppages