South Sudan denies suspension of oil flow via Sudan

JUBA – South Sudan government on Friday denied reports that it has opted to suspend the flow of its crude oil through Port Sudan due to the ongoing political situation in Sudan.

Speaking to journalists following a cabinet meeting on Friday in Juba, information minister Michael Makuei Lueth denied allegations that it suspended the exportation of crude oil through Port Sudan due to ongoing political unrest in Sudan.

“It is not suspended. The problem is that you do not follow the news of the world. If you have been following, those of Eastern Sudan have been saying that we are making an exception, and out of this exception is that oil will be exported,” Makuei told journalists after a regular cabinet meeting in Juba.

“They will allow some trucks to carry food to Khartoum. This is what they (Sudan’s ruling military council) have said and this is what we have done. They have started negotiating with the (military council) government and so they are in process and they have not stopped them,” Makuei added.

Oil-depended South Sudan producing an estimated 175,000 barrels per day relies on Sudan’s infrastructure to export its crude oil.

In September this year, oil exports were briefly disrupted after civilians held protests in Eastern Sudan over having been excluded from October 2020 peace deal signed in Juba between Sudan transitional government with various opposition groups.

The protesters blocked access to Port Sudan that in turn briefly halted oil flow from South Sudan.