South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol has expressed concerns that the ongoing fighting in Sudan will have a dire consequence on the economies of both countries if it continues.
Deadly fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has entered its sixth days.
“The Ministry of Petroleum is deeply concerned over the continued military clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in the Republic of Sudan, and we express our regret for the loss of lives and injuries, including amongst civilians,” Mr Kang told reporters in the capital, Juba, on Thursday.
“We urge all the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm, and call on all actors to return to dialogue and resolve the current crisis in Sudan which directly and equally affects the economies and social welfare of both of our beloved countries,” he added.
He also said the violence had not yet affected production and exportation of South Sudan’s oil.
“All our old-field facilities such as pipelines, pump stations, field processing facilities, field surface facilities and export marine terminal in the Republic of Sudan are well protected and safe from any damage and we continue to produce and export an average of 196,141 barrels of crude oil per day from all our oil fields in South Sudan as I speak,” Mr Kang said.
But he said all South Sudanese personnel and assets based in Sudan could be relocated to safer locations if necessary.
South Sudan continues to transport its crude oil to the international market through a port in eastern Sudan. Sudan in return receives transit and processing fees from South Sudan.