The people of South Sudan have been treated to a cruel and ghastly game of numbers as rival parties engage in a macabre dance of death.

Since the conflict broke out in 2013 — a space of a little more than two-and-a-half-years — more than 50,000 people have died, over 100,000 have been injured, over one million people have been displaced, with more than 100,000 forced to seek shelter in camps for the internally displaced, and over three million are facing imminent famine and drought related food shortages.

From an estimated population of slightly more than 12 million people, with over two million killed during the over 50 years of civil war and war of liberation from 1956 to 2005, the numbers game in South Sudan’s political power-play must be brought to an end.

In addition, inflation has more than tripled, with the South Sudanese pound being devalued by over 300 per cent in the past three months. Crime has gone through the roof in both urban and rural settlements and corruption including modern highway banditry has sky-rocketed.

The country’s main source of hard currency — oil production — has collapsed from over 350,000 barrels per day to less than 165,000 barrels today. The price of oil per barrel has dropped from $100 to less than $30.

These numbers may appear dire from a mathematical point of view. Yet the reality is that behind these figures, the real human tragedy is unfolding. Behind each number is pain, hunger and ultimately, death.

But for the political power gamers, a new deadly numbers game is in the vogue. Shall it be 36 ministerial positions, or should it include another eight deputy ministerial positions? What about another slew of presidential advisors, and would it not advance our course, if there are 10 states as per the current Constitution they ask? What Constitution?

They then each reach for their secret weapons… the automatic assault rifle... and the deadly numbers games continue.

Welcome to the Deadly Numbers Game of South Sudan. Who is fooling who?