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(( PLAYBOOK SLUG: SSUDAN SUDAN ECONOMY (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Northern South Sudan’s Economy ‘Decimated’ by Sudan Conflict
TEASER: Oil production, which makes up 90% of South Sudan’s revenue, is also grinding to a standstill
PUBLISHED: 8/16/23, 1:21p
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Renk, South Sudan
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Wilkins
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Purnell Murdock
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ; CAW
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV __ RADIO __
TRT: 2:28
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE :TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[ Sudan's conflict has caused prices in the border region of neighboring South Sudan to rise sharply, according to local market traders. Meanwhile, the production and export of South Sudanese oil through Sudan, which the World Bank says makes up 90% of the country’s revenue, is being strangled by the conflict too. Henry Wilkins reports from Renk, South Sudan. ]]
((NARRATOR))
Yohanna Bill is a market trader in the town of Renk, close to South Sudan's border with Sudan.
He says that since Sudan’s war started in April, goods have been scarce and more expensive in the north of his country.
((For radio: He says the challenges are becoming worse, particularly in the northern region. The lack of goods coming from Sudan is hampering his ability to keep up with demand, although there are occasions when he is able to buy goods from Sudan.))
((Yohanna Bill, Market Trader (in Arabic, 25 secs)))
“Indeed, challenges are getting worse, particularly in the northern region. The lack of goods coming from [Sudan] is hampering our ability to keep up with demand. Occasionally, there are isolated incidences where we can get what we need from them.”
((NARRATOR))
South Sudan lacks a functioning road network, and the north of the country is poorly connected to the capital, Juba.
One expert explains…
((For radio: Peter Biar Ajak is a Sudan expert at Harvard University))
((Peter Biar Ajak, Harvard University (male, English, 28 secs))) ((Zoom))
“The northern state in Southern Sudan really relies on the supplies that come from north Sudan, and because of the conflict, those supplies have been entirely cut off, abruptly. Also, this was nothing that was foreseen. // Now that economy is decimated, all the supplies there are decimated. People have been displaced — millions and millions and millions of people — so this is a serious economic collapse.”
((NARRATOR))
Abuk Atem is one of the more than 170,000 people who have fled Sudan to South Sudan, mostly through Renk.
She says they are feeling the effects of Renk’s collapsing economy too.
((For Radio: Sometimes, people stay hungry during the daytime and have only one meal in the evening, she says, because they lack the money to buy food.))
((Abuk Atem, South Sudanese Returnee (in Nuer, 11 secs)))
“Sometimes people stay hungry during the daytime and have one meal in the evening due to a lack of money to buy food.”
((NARRATOR))
Putting a further squeeze on the economy, the production and export of oil, which according to the World Bank accounts for 90% of South Sudan’s revenue, has also been hit hard by the conflict.
Trucks seen here that would normally transport chemicals and other supplies are backed up at the border.
Patrick Heinisch is an economist with Helaba, a German commercial bank. Asked if access to the Red Sea, made possible only by passing through Sudan, is important, he replied …
((Patrick Heinisch, Helaba Bank Economist (male, in English))) ((Zoom))
“Yes, definitely. Port Sudan is a very important port supplying the country, but the South Sudanese authorities and the oil ministry said that they face difficulties importing chemicals that are used for oil extraction because Port Sudan is no longer functional, or at least it is no longer delivering goods.”
((NARRATOR))
Meanwhile, those fleeing Sudan’s war continue to stream across the border, putting even more pressure on Renk’s collapsing economy.
((Henry Wilkins, for VOA News, Renk, South Sudan))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 17, 2023 13:30 EDT
BylineHenry Wilkins
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media, Voice of America - English
