Sudan, South Sudan: Outsiders Try Diplomacy to Prevent Oil Stoppage

South Sudan has been gradually decreasing its oil production over the last week in response to Sudan's continued threats to shut down pipelines transporting South Sudanese oil over allegations that Juba supports rebel groups within Sudan. Negotiations between the two countries to prevent another complete stop to South Sudan's oil exports have not yet made any notable progress. The approaching Aug. 7 deadline put forward by Khartoum has caused external stakeholders, such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, African Union and, perhaps more important, China, to launch a diplomatic offensive in order to keep South Sudanese oil exports moving through Port Sudan to the global market.