SOUTH SUDAN: Protests against impacts of oil mining

People who live close to the Melut and Palouch oilfields in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan held protests in August against the local environmental impacts of oil mining. Among the effects that have been reported are miscarriages, birth defects and other major health conditions. The locals have seen only pollution and disruption, but no benefits from the oil in their backyard. In the protests, people closed roads and an airstrip and blocked entrances to the oil company.