Sudan and South Sudan Join Forces To Protect Oilfields

Juba – As the month long fighting in South Sudan threatens to disrupt the oil flow into neighbouring Sudan, the two country’s leaders are joining forces to protect the South’s oilfields from rebel groups.

“Sudan and South Sudan are in consultations about the deployment of a mixed force to protect the oilfields in the South,” said South Sudan Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmed Karti, in a statement.

About 80% of the oil production in the area is controlled by South Sudan. On Monday, Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir flew to the South Sudanese capital of Juba to meet with the country’s President, Salva Kiir.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi; in an act rare for China which normally stays out of the domestic troubles in foreign countries; called for the immediate end to the fighting which has gripped Africa’s youngest nation.

Yi began a six-day tour of Africa in Ethiopia, where Kiir and his political rival, Riek Machar’s negotiators began face-to-face peace talks on Sunday.

According to the Voice of America, Yi said China’s position regarding the South Sudanese conflict was very clear because of its large investment in the country’s oil industry.

Besides for calling for immediate ceasefire between the fighting parties, he also called for the peace negotiations to begin as soon as possible, and for the international community to provide support and aid in South Sudan, and to make vigorous mediation efforts.

According to reports, over 1 000 people were killed in the fighting, and more than 200 000 people were left displaced from their homes. With the majority of the international non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) leaving the country, resources look likely to become even more scarce.

“Highly vulnerable people have just become even more vulnerable, “said the international medical organisation, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan Raphael Gorgeu,. “We don’t know what will happen to the thousands of displaced and wounded people across the country.”

About 80% of all healthcare services were provided by international NGO’s, and now that most of these organisations have departed, there is an increased risk for epidemics.

“And if the fighting prevents us from gaining rapid and safe access to people in need – especially to pregnant women and children – conditions will quickly deteriorate,” added Gorgeu.

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