Sudan’s military-backed government has cautioned that oil exports from South Sudan may be halted due to a series of attacks on critical energy infrastructure by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan has ordered its oil companies to start shutting down the pipeline transporting crude oil from South Sudan for export, citing ongoing attacks by the RSF. The warning was detailed in an official letter reviewed by AFP.
A document dated Friday, signed by Mohhieddien Naiem Mohamed Saied, undersecretary of Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, was sent to Deng Lual Wol, his counterpart in South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum. The letter warned that the risk of oil export suspension was ‘very high’ following a series of recent drone strikes targeting key facilities controlled by the Sudanese army.
The letter stated that a vital pump station and a fuel depot in Sudanese army-controlled areas were hit this week. It also noted that the paramilitary RSF has escalated attacks on government infrastructure nationwide, severely affecting essential electricity and fuel facilities.
Since April 2023, the conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and forced over 13 million people from homes, causing widespread repercussions across East Africa.
South Sudan, a landlocked nation, relies on Port Sudan on the Red Sea to export its crucial oil supplies to international markets, with Sudan collecting a transit fee for the process.
In response to the recent RSF drone strikes, Sudanese officials have once again directed energy companies to prepare contingency measures to shut down the pipeline if attacks persist
Oil exports from South Sudan restarted in January after nearly a year-long suspension caused by conflict-related damage. According to local reports, South Sudan’s current oil production stands at around 110,000 barrels per day.
South Sudanese authorities have yet to respond publicly to the warning. Last year’s suspension of oil exports had a profound impact on the country’s economy, which has relied on oil revenue since its independence from Sudan in 2011.
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