South Sudan’s Presidential Advisor on National Security, Tut Gatluak Manime, inspected oil facilities in Port Sudan on Tuesday, following his meeting with Sudan’s Sovereign Council President, General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, on Monday.
Manime is being accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba.
According to the ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit
focused on ensuring the smooth flow of South Sudan’s crude oil exports via Port
Sudan and included discussions on transport, security, and regional stability.
Minister Kumba also held talks with Sudan’s Interior
Minister, Babiker Samra, addressing cross-border challenges affecting citizens,
particularly in immigration and residency, while emphasizing the need to
implement existing agreements and memoranda of understanding.
The visit follows South Sudan taking control of the Heglig
(Panthou) oilfield under a tripartite agreement between the Sudan Armed Forces
(SAF) led by General Burhan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
President Salva Kiir serves as guarantor of the agreement,
which stabilizes the area and prevents further conflict.
On December 7, 2025, clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces
(SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the oilfield resulted in RSF taking
control of the site. Both warring parties later withdrew, allowing South Sudan
to assume security responsibilities.
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) now secure
the site, ensuring uninterrupted production of approximately 80,000 to 100,000
barrels of oil per day.
Officials confirmed that the oil infrastructure remains
intact and production continues smoothly, underlining South Sudan’s role as a
mediator and its commitment to safeguarding critical energy resources while
strengthening cooperation with Sudan.
