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South Sudan's vital oil exports cleared to resume

General Burhan and President Salva Kiir meeting in Juba.Image source, Presidential Press Unit
Image caption,

Sudan's Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan (L) and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (R) met in Juba on Monday

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South Sudan鈥檚 President Salva Kiir has agreed with the de facto leader of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, that vital oil exports from the landlocked country could resume through its northern neighbour.

Sudan鈥檚 17-month civil war has disrupted South Sudan鈥檚 oil industry, which the country鈥檚 economy relies on.

Four months of work repairing the damaged infrastructure would allow the oil to flow once again.

But there remains a question whether the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is fighting the army in Sudan, would allow the exports to go ahead as it controls most of the areas the oil would pass through.

President Kiir and Gen Burhan discussed the resumption of exports at talks on Monday in South Sudan鈥檚 capital, Juba.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart, South Sudan鈥檚 Foreign Minister Ramadan Abdalla Goc said the two leaders discussed 鈥減ressing issues impacting both countries鈥 as they focused on enhancing regional peace and stability through 鈥渃onstructive dialogue and co-operation鈥.

Mr Goc said Gen Burhan confirmed to President Kiir that Sudanese engineers have 鈥渁ccomplished the necessary technical preparations鈥 for the resumption of South Sudan鈥檚 oil production.

He said engineers from South Sudan were expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to familiarise themselves with the readiness of the facilities, after that the two countries will announce the official resumption of oil flow.

The civil war in neighbouring Sudan has deprived South Sudanese coffers of petrodollars, the government鈥檚 main source of revenue, according to think-tank the International Crisis Group.

Mr Goc also said that during the talks, President Kiir reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring peace and stability in Sudan.

Sudan鈥檚 acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad said President Kiir and Gen Burhan also agreed to re-open humanitarian corridors between their two countries to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

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Image source, Getty Images/大象传媒

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