South Sudan’s embattled President Salva Kiir paid a one-day visit to the Sudanese capital Khartoum this week for talks with his Sudanese counterpart and former war foe ‘Umar al-Bashir. With the situation at home showing no signs of improvement, Mr Kiir headed north to seek assurances and support for his government in the ongoing conflict with rebel forces.

Discussions centered on the deteriorating security situation in Africa’s newest nation, and possible measures to protect key towns and infrastructure from further rebel attack. High on the agenda were South Sudan’s producing oil fields, particularly those in Upper Nile state in the north east (bordering Sudan), site of some of the heaviest recent fighting. (CONTINUED - 1057 WORDS)