Is South Sudan on the verge of collapse?
Despite a ceasefire agreement, fighting between government soldiers and rebels rages.
The world youngest nation has been shaken by a fierce conflict since December. Thousands have been killed and more than 1 million people have been forced to leave their homes.
The latest round of violence was in the oil-rich town of Bentiu, capital of Unity state. Forces loyal to the former vice president, Riek Machar, seized the town after fighting with government troops.
Elsewhere, a UN peacekeeping base came under attack, killing 58 people and injuring many others. The UN called the attack a war crime.
Yet, the two warring sides are expected to hold talks to end the violence in South Sudan, but those talks have been delayed many times.
So, is a political settlement even possible?
Presenter: Mike Hanna
Guests:
Aly Verjee, senior researcher at the Rift Valley Institute, and author of “Race against time: The Countdown to the Referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei“
Abdelwahab El-Affendi, professor of politics at the University of Westminster
Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan information minister and government spokesman