As the world welcomes its newest nation, global attention turns to Southern Sudan whose lack of infrastructure makes it almost completely dependent on the north for supplies.

With little less than a week before south Sudan declares its independence, good economic relations with the north will be vital if it is to succeed. But some government officials in the south accuse their counterparts in Khartoum of trying to sabotage its fledgling economy.

Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from Bentiu, where something as simple as a road closure can have a major impact on national trade.