South Sudan Crisis

From the BBC:

"Q&A: South Sudan army clashes"

Hundreds of people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions.

President Salva Kiir says it was a coup attempt, blaming soldiers loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar for the trouble, but he denies this.

 

Where is South Sudan?

South Sudan is the world's newest nation, in the centre of Africa bordered by six countries. It is rich in oil, but following decades of civil war it is also one of the least developed regions on earth - only 15% of its citizens owns a mobile phone and there very few tarmac roads in an area bigger than Spain and Portugal combined. This makes the Nile River, which flows through regional centres, an important transport and trade route. Cattle are also central to life in South Sudan - a person's wealth is measured by their herd.

Why are there tensions?

South Sudan overwhelming voted to break away from Sudan in 2011. Since then there have been a few small armed rebellions, border clashes and deadly cattle feuds - but these have all taken place far from the capital, Juba. The government's main concern has been to get the oil flowing following disagreements with Sudan - production only resumed in April. Signs of tensions within the governing SPLM party came in July when President Salva Kiir, from the majority Dinka group, sacked his deputy Riek Machar, who is from the second largest group, the Nuer.

Was there a coup plot?

It is not clear. Details of the fighting in Juba are sketchy and the UN says it has been largely along ethnic lines. President Kiir believes there was and has pointed the finger of blame at Mr Machar, who is now in hiding.He denies the accusations, but has publically criticised Mr Kiir for failing to tackle corruption and said in July that he would challenge him for the SPLM's leadership. Mr Machar also has a chequered history with the SPLM, leading a breakaway faction in the 1990s. However, some analysts say the president may just be taking advantage of the flare-up to crack down on many of those who have criticised him.

Could it descend into civil war?

That's the warning of the president of the UN Security Council, Gerard Araud, who said it had the potential to be a "fully-fledged war throughout the country" between the Dinka and Nuer communities. Up to 20,000 people have taken refuge in the UN mission in Juba, some saying that Nuer residents were targeted in the fighting. Another 14,000 people have gone to the UN base in Bor, which has been seized by rebel forces said to be backing Mr Machar. The country is awash with guns after the decades of conflict and there is a history of tension between rival ethnic groups, which politicians could whip up if they believe that could help them gain, or remain in, power. But after all the hope and optimism of independence in 2011, world and regional leaders will be urging South Sudanese politicians to show restraint.

^ I put this on here because just today an American plane with US soldiers flying in South Sudan was shot down and 4 people were wounded. They were helping evacuate US and other foreigners from the recent fighting. I had high hopes for South Sudan when they finally became independent from Sudan, but it seems they are going the way of most countries in Africa - civil war and armed violence. ^

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25427965