How Destabilization of South Sudan Would Effect U.S. Foreign Policy

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How Destabilization of South Sudan Would Effect U.S. Foreign Policy

In 2011, after nearly 50 years of conflict, citizens of the southern half of Sudan voted to secede and form their own country. On 9 July 2011, South Sudan was created amidst the uphill battle of legitimacy, governance, and economic stability in an already volatile region. Widespread poverty and an underdeveloped infrastructure plague the chances of South Sudan’s success.

As the newest member of the United Nations, South Sudan receives military assistance from 55 countries and police assistance from 39 countries (UN, 2014). Despite the perception of the proper steps towards long-term success, South Sudan has great potential to destabilize the entire region. This perception is based largely on the success of its economy and its ability to provide security and governance to its citizens. We will examine the potential South Sudan has to destabilize North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Central Africa, and South Africa if South Sudan becomes a failed state.

Oil Industry of South Sudan

First, we will look at the economy of South Sudan, as it is a focal point of its success. After South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, one of the noticeable challenges they faced was that they became a landlocked country. With enormous oil deposits within its borders, South Sudan relies on other countries to export their oil; mainly their rival, Sudan. A series of pipelines exist through Sudan to Port Sudan along the Red Sea. These pipelines are remnants of pre-Independence Sudan. Because of the pipelines within their borders, Sudan wants the revenue of 245,000 barrels per day, and increasing, production of South Sudanese oil passing through its borders (Rose & Aizhu, ...

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...e, South Sudan’s crisis matters to its customers. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 23 May 2014 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/with-oil-at-stake-the-war-in-south-sudan-matters-to-its-customers/2014/01/20/dcca9432-7d25-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html

Rose, A. & Aizhu, C. (20 December 2013). China to evacuate South Sudan oil workers to capital. Reuters. Retrieved on 23 May 2014 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-southsudan-unrest-china-idUSBRE9BJ0FV20131220

Trivett, V. (8 July 2011) Oil-Rich South Sudan Has Hours To Choose Between North Sudan, China And The U.S. Business Insider. Retrieved on 23 May 2014 from http://www.businessinsider.com/southern-sudan-independence-2011-7

United Nations. (2014). United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan. Retrieved on 23 May 2014 from http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/

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