Sudan Protesters Agree to Resumption of South Sudanese Oil Exports

A protester flashes victory signs as supporters of Sudan's head of the Supreme Council of Beja Prefectures and Independent Umudiyyahs rally, following the arrival of a delegationg led by a member of the country's sovereign council in the city of Port Sudan, on September 26, 2021. (AFP)

Sudan's government reached an agreement with tribal protesters on Sunday to allow the resumption of exports of landlocked South Sudan's crude oil via a terminal on the Red Sea, Sudanese officials said.

The protesters from the Beja tribes in eastern Sudan, demonstrating against what they say is a lack of political power and poor economic conditions in the region, have been blocking roads and forcing Red Sea ports to close in recent weeks.

A government delegation headed by a member of the ruling sovereign council met tribal elders on Sunday and secured a deal to allow oil exports from the Bashayer port, the ruling council said.

The council did not disclose the terms of the agreement or give further details.

The Sudanese energy and oil ministry warned on Saturday that the port's oil depots would become full up in 10 days' time if the blockage continued. That would in turn force South Sudanese oil fields to halt production.

The protesters have also forced the closure of a pipeline that carries imported crude to the capital Khartoum.