Violence and poverty linked in South Sudan

South Sudan's Jonglei state is calm after a number of attacks between Luo Nuer youths and Merle people. But recent hostilities and the economic situation may be intimately connected,  expert Jamie Ingram explains.

Reuters/Handout

The inter-tribal violence is nothing new in South Sudan, but this recent escalation is

troubling for Africa's newest country which is trying to rein in rebels and compete in a global economy.

Violence on the border between Sudan and South Sudan has hampered trade, including food supplies to the northern regions of South Sudan.

The United Nations released a report warning that South Sudan will face major food shortages in 2012 due to heavy rains and widespread violence.