Why escalating South Sudan conflict is sending jitters across East Africa

South Sudan rebels loyal to ex-VP Riek Machar deny attacking traders on the Aweil-Raja road.

Photo credit: Reuters

South Sudan’s label as Africa’s youngest nation is slowly but surely being eclipsed by its bad reputation as the continent’s perennial source of worry. - 15 years after independence.

This week, clashes in Jonglei State, north of the capital Juba, have kept everyone in the region worried of a new war they just cannot afford.