Sudan’s military-backed government has warned that oil exports from South Sudan may be suspended following a series of attacks on key energy infrastructure by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The warning was outlined in an official letter seen by AFP.
The document, dated Friday, was sent by Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to its South Sudanese counterpart, stating that the risk of halting oil exports was “very high” due to recent drone strikes that have targeted critical facilities under army control.
Among the damaged sites were a fuel depot and a major pumping station, according to the letter, as the RSF continues to step up its offensive against government-controlled infrastructure. The fighting, ongoing since April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 13 million people, with the effects rippling throughout East Africa.
South Sudan, a landlocked and economically fragile nation, depends on pipelines through Sudan to ship its crude oil to international markets via Port Sudan on the Red Sea. In return, Sudan earns a fee for providing transit services.
These exports only resumed in January after being suspended for nearly a year due to previous damage caused by the conflict. Current output from South Sudan is estimated at around 110,000 barrels per day, according to local reports.
Now, following the latest wave of RSF drone strikes, Sudanese authorities have again ordered energy firms to draft contingency plans to shut down the pipeline, should the attacks persist.
“If these assaults continue and undermine our ability to fulfil our obligations, we will be forced to implement the shutdown,” the energy ministry wrote.
South Sudanese officials have yet to respond publicly to the warning. The disruption of oil exports last year had a severe impact on South Sudan’s economy, which has relied heavily on oil revenues since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.
Adding to South Sudan’s domestic instability, Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol—an ally of Vice President Riek Machar—was arrested earlier this year amid renewed tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir. The fragile peace accord between their factions now appears increasingly under threat.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s army has accused neighbouring South Sudan of supporting the RSF in the ongoing conflict.
