Desperation Mounts In South Sudan

06:12

December 23, 2013

People gather at a makeshift IDP camp at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in Juba on December 22, 2013 where South Sudanese continue to flock as fears of a resumption of fighting in the capital fester. (Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images)

The death toll from violence in South Sudan tops 1,000 and American citizens in the African country are being evacuated.

The United Nations says thousands of civilians are trying to get out. Many of them are seeking protection at a U.N. base in the city of Bor amid fears of a civil war.

Clashes broke out between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and others backing his former deputy a week ago.

Moses Rono, the BBC's Africa security correspondent joins Here & Now’s Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss ongoing developments in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the South Sudanese government has lost control of Bentiu, the capital of Unity state, the country's main oil producing region.

Foreign companies operating in the region, including China, Malaysia and India, are starting to reduce production and evacuate personnel due to the escalating crisis.

Roben Farzad, a contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek, discusses what the turmoil in South Sudan could mean for global oil production.

Guest

Moses Rono, the BBC's Africa security correspondent, in Nairobi, Kenya. He tweets @MosesRono.
Roben Farzad, contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek. He tweets @robenfarzad.

This segment aired on December 23, 2013.