Understanding the Energy-Climate-Security Relationship

One of Africa’s newest countries, South Sudan achieved its independence in 2011.  Prior to that it enjoyed an autonomous status within Sudan based on the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which brought peace and power sharing, and paved the way to eventual independence.  Two years after independence, however, a power struggle between the president and vice president led to civil war that has displaced some four million people.  Five years later, the warring sides agreed to a power-sharing arrangement, which has led to an uneasy peace.

Petroleum is by far South Sudan’s most important natural resource. Oil was first discovered in 1977, however civil strife precluded any commercial exploitation. Agriculture is the main area of employment in South Sudan, with some four-fifths of all households depending on agricultural activities as their main source of livelihood.  Manufacturing, although a sliver of the economy, is growing.