Sudan extends oil shutdown deadline
Sudan Monday postponed its deadline for the closure of the economically vital pipeline network carrying South Sudanese oil until next month. The period “has been extended for another two weeks that ends on Sept. 6,” the official SUNA news agency said in a brief SMS dispatch which gave no details on what was the second such postponement.
In June, Khartoum told oil firms they had 60 days to stop transporting crude from landlocked South Sudan through Sudan’s pipeline system to the Red Sea export terminal.
The order came after President Omar al-Bashir accused the South’s government of backing rebels in the north.
In late July, Khartoum extended the deadline to Aug. 22.
The delay came in response to an appeal from the African Union which asked for more time to investigate allegations – by both Sudan and South Sudan – that they are supporting rebels operating in each other’s territory.
Regional nations also began to address another point of contention between Sudan and South Sudan, determining the centerline of a demilitarized buffer zone.
The zone is to straddle the 2,000-kilometer undemarcated frontier between the two countries.
Oil has kept flowing despite Sudan’s threat to close the line.
The South’s oil export revenues, and the fees it must pay Khartoum for use of the oil infrastructure, are potentially worth billions of dollars to both impoverished nations.
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