UN warns that South Sudan faces ‘existential crisis’ ahead of uncertain polls
Head of UN mission calls for more peacekeepers as security council told that the nation is far from prepared for its first election as an independent country
In a volatile region, few areas are more hostile than the flatlands surrounding the South Sudanese town of Abiemnom. Four miles north-east of it lies the border of the oil-rich Abyei region, where spasms of violence have left scores dead this year.
Slightly further on is the border with Sudan, which is engulfed in civil war. From there, the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are moving steadily closer.