Kiir, Burhan discuss resumption of South Sudan oil export

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, met in Juba on Monday to discuss the resumption of oil exports through Sudan, following four months of work on oil infrastructure, according to a statement from South Sudan's presidency.

South Sudan's Foreign Affairs Minister Ramadan Abdalla Mohammed Goc confirmed that Sudanese engineers have completed the necessary technical preparations to restart oil production.

He added that South Sudanese engineers are expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to assess the facilities' readiness and prepare for the resumption of production.

During their discussions, President Kiir reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring peace and stability in Sudan.

In response, General Burhan acknowledged President Kiir's dedication to peace and stability and expressed appreciation for his efforts in regional initiatives aimed at fostering stability and economic growth between the two neighbouring nations.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, remains heavily dependent on its northern neighbour to export oil to international markets, using two pipelines to transport crude to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, meet in Juba on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo: South Sudan Government)

However, one of these pipelines, responsible for about two-thirds of South Sudan's oil exports, broke down in February and requires months of complex repairs amidst ongoing conflict.

The outbreak of civil war in Sudan in April 2023 has brought significant challenges for South Sudan.

The conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people to flee southward into a country already struggling to feed its population.

An alarming 7.1 million of South Sudan’s 12 million people face acute hunger, and cross-border trade with Sudan has come to a standstill.

The security situation in South Sudan is also at risk as it becomes increasingly entangled in the regional conflict.