Officials in Juba are raising concerns about the true intent behind General al-Burhan Army (SAF)-affiliated Port Sudan Authority’s decision to suspend South Sudan’s oil exports.
While the Port Sudan Authority cites attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the reason, some officials in South Sudan suspect that the move is primarily aimed at pressuring Juba to increase oil transit fees.
The Port Sudan Authority has instructed oil companies to prepare for the shutdown of oil export facilities following RSF drone strikes on May 8th and 9th. The Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Petroleum informed its South Sudanese counterparts that the attacks on a key pumping station and a fuel depot in Army-controlled areas have made an export halt “highly likely.”
According to the letter, the drone strikes caused power outages at offshore terminals, affecting the loading of crude oil. Additionally, the attacks on fuel depots could result in severe fuel shortages for transportation systems.
Since its secession from Sudan in 2011, landlocked South Sudan has depended on Sudan for oil refining and export through Port Sudan. South Sudan currently exports around 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Experts believe the main objective behind halting oil exports is to pressure Juba into raising the oil transit fees, which are a vital revenue source for Sudan, particularly as the country’s economy has been heavily impacted by the ongoing war with the RSF. After a year-long suspension due to the conflict, a trade agreement between Sudan and South Sudan resumed in January.
A South Sudanese Ministry of Petroleum technical advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the letter’s arrival on May 9th. The advisor noted that it arrived after Sudan’s working hours, with no immediate opportunity to discuss it.
As the war continues to strain Sudan’s resources, some observers suggest the oil export halt also serves as a message that the RSF’s escalating drone attacks on key facilities are not only disrupting Sudan but also affecting neighboring countries. The RSF’s actions, they say, could intensify pressure on South Sudan to address the broader regional consequences of the ongoing conflict.
