Since Independence South Sudan has been rife with corruption, ethnic tensions and violence that have left the country on the verge of becoming a failed state.
With President Salva Kiir potentially being challenged by a newly formed party and peace talks set to take place in Ethiopia, 2018 could potentially see large scale changes to the country taking place. Sputnik spoke with Thomas Mountain, Eritrea based political commentator and Journalist to get more insights into the issue.
Sputnik: Have foreign countries interfered in South Sudan’s politics[2]?
Thomas Mountain: The thing that’s been completely ignored by the international media in South Sudan is that this war has been going on for 5 years and there are 20,000 rebel fighters who are being paid a salary of 300 dollars a month. In total this will amount to around 100 million dollars a year, so where has this money that funds the civil war come from?
There’s only once source that could come up with that cash so quickly and it’s the CIA. South Sudan[3] has the only Chinese oil reserves in Africa, and it’s seen as desirable by the U.S government to reduce the influence of China in the continent, so this is the U.S’s motivation, as no other country in the world is benefitting from the civil war.
Sputnik: Will the upcoming peace talks in Ethiopia be effective?
Thomas Mountain: Ethiopia is in a state of emergency, with a martial law government and they are going to hold peace talks there, it makes no sense.
The only thing keeping the Ethiopian government afloat is billions of dollars of Western aid pouring into the country each year, so holding peace talks in a dictatorship where they can’t even protect their own people will not be successful.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Thomas Mountain and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Sputnik.
References
- ^ Opinion (www.bing.com)
- ^ South Sudan’s politics (sputniknews.com)
- ^ South Sudan (sputniknews.com)
Newer articles:
- What it is like being the only doctor in war-torn Sudan’s Nuba Mountains - 13/04/2018 03:56
- South Sudan says U.S. move to appoint new envoy will improve relations - 12/04/2018 11:02
- Ahead of peace talks, a who’s who in South Sudan’s splintering civil war - 12/04/2018 09:41
- South Sudan: Enduring Bentiu - 12/04/2018 06:41
- US Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing for New S. Sudan Envoy - 12/04/2018 00:02
Older news items
- In South Sudan, teamwork brings big Gospel impact - 11/04/2018 22:22
- South Sudan: Juba Wants Rebel Commander Out of Peace Talks - 11/04/2018 16:32
- Milking Marriage: Forced Marriage and Famine in South Sudan - 10/04/2018 18:44
- S. Sudan: 'Political Ambition' Behind Ex-Army Chief's New Rebel Group - 10/04/2018 17:45
- South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator condemns killing of aid worker, calls for the immediate release of seven others held by armed group - 10/04/2018 10:11
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan needs ‘civic education’ before elections, says bishop - 16/01/2025 16:42
- South Sudan parties set to resume peace talks in Kenya - 16/01/2025 16:39
- Abandoned but not forgotten – the invisible crisis in South Sudan - 16/01/2025 16:35
- The SAF has committed barbaric atrocities against South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani - 16/01/2025 16:27
- Syria 2025: The historical Syrian project: From revolution to a modern inclusive civil state - 16/01/2025 16:10
Random articles (all categories):
- Denmark is the least corrupt country in the world, Somalia and South Sudan struggle - 01/02/2021 03:19
- South Sudan official: Sudan intensifies bombing of disputed town as north ... - Washington Post - 16/04/2012 13:23
- Over 800 South Sudanese killed in April-June, says UN - 27/08/2020 18:37
- Egypt and South Sudan action group to study agricultural cooperation - 30/11/2020 16:00
- Oil Politics, Asian Suitors, and Alternative Pipelines in South Sudan - 26/06/2013 05:03
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 61882 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22310 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21505 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19070 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18874 times