Oil 'not vital' for South Sudan, says Riek Machar
South Sudan will survive despite halting its vital oil production in a dispute with Sudan, the country's Vice-President Riek Machar has told the BBC.
Oil revenues account for 98% of income for the country, which gained independence from Sudan last year.
But the two never agreed on the transit fees that Juba should pay for using Sudan's oil export infrastructure.
The new nation responded by shutting its oil wells, and many now wonder how South Sudan can cope without what is almost its only source of revenue.
The BBC's James Copnall reports from Juba.
19 Feb 2012
- From the section Africa