Moody's indicated that the negative outlook could return to stable if the fiscal buffers, public debt burden and debt affordability were to improve. However, this would require the adoption and implementation of effective fiscal consolidation measures or a prolonged recovery of the diamond sector. That notwithstanding, Moody's was clear that a rating upgrade is unlikely in the near term given the negative outlook on the back of weakening fundamentals. Conversely, a rating downgrade could arise if Government's policy responses failed to contain the deterioration in the debt burden and improve debt affordability. Additionally, evidence of financial constraints, highlighted by greater reliance on expensive funding sources that weaken debt affordability would lead to a rating downgrade. Lastly, Moody's indicated that a structurally weaker growth outlook or a material deterioration of the external position due to a more prolonged downturn in the diamond sector could also lead to a downgrade.