The world's newest nation
South Sudan is preparing for full independence on July 9 after last month's referendum saw almost 99% of the mostly Christian south vote to separate from the Arab-Muslim north.
Despite the absence of widespread violence during the recent referendum for independence in s
outhern Sudan, concerns remain about the risk of conflict, particularly along the border.
The border district of Abyei is an area of particular concern. Dozens died there in clashes last month in some of the rare violence to mar the referendum.
The referendum - which ran from 9-15 January allowed the people of South Sudan to choose whether to separate from the north and form a new independent country.
There are also concerns over an exodus of the approximately 1 million Southerners currently living in the North.
The northern government in Khartoum has accepted the result which will mean a loss of the southern resources, including oil.
ACT Alliance – of which Anglicord is a member – remains prepared in case the situation worsens.
An outbreak of conflict would have a devastating impact, coming on top of the ongoing crises of disease outbreaks, flooding and food shortages in many parts of the country.
There are fears this could provoke influxes of refugees into neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Even in the absence of all out civil war rising tension could lead to increased ethnic violence in parts of the country as militia groups re-activate themselves.