NAIROBI — Brave or reckless, South Sudan’s decision to shut down its oil production to protest the north has had disastrous consequences for its citizens. The country’s economy came to a jarring halt in January, when it shut down oil production due to a trade dispute with Sudan. To make up for its own lost revenues from the split with South Sudan, Khartoum had been demanding exorbitant transit fees for the use of its pipelines and port, the only available route for South Sudan to export its oil. Anne Itto, Deputy Secretary of South Sudan’s ruling party, the SPLM, says the south has refused to resume production until Sudan agrees to more reasonable terms.
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