Sudan says RSF attack paralyzes South Sudan oil exports
By Anak Dut
The Sudanese government has drawn plans to suspend South Sudan’s oil exports due to a series of drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces that seriously damaged critical infrastructure in Port Sudan.
The attack came barely seven days after South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum announced that its crude oil exports had reached the marine terminal at Port Sudan for the first time in months, following disruptions caused by Sudan’s ongoing war.
The oil was set to be shipped to international markets.
However, in a letter addressed to South Sudan’s Undersecretary of Petroleum, Deng Lual, Sudan’s Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum, Mohieddien Naiem Mohamed, said the attacks that happened from May 8 to 9 have affected the key oil export facilities.
Dr. Naiem said the ministry had instructed both PETCO and BAPCO to deliver a fast-track roadmap to enable us to shut down the facilities.”
“The plan will be set into action if the attacks, which jeopardize these facilities and disable them from carrying out their commitment under the AOREM,” he stated.
Dr. Naiem noted that the repeated attacks by Rapid Sudan Force on facilities in the Sudan have taken their toll on both nations, culminating in grave losses for both national economies and the foreign investors.
“The recent wave of drone attacks launched by RSF and its backers against civilian infrastructure has targeted oil facilities in Sudan, which are bound to have an impact on Sudan’s capability to complete export operations,” he continued.
The Sudanese Undersecretary further said the early morning hours of Friday, drones attacked PETCO’s PS#5 in al-Hudi, resulting in grave damage to the Pump Station.
“While maintenance teams remain at the site, the risk of stoppage of export operations is very high, especially when considering that PS#5 is a functioning station crucial to export operations.”
The RSF previously on Thursday attacked a major diesel depot in the White Nile State from which BAPCO withdraws diesel for operational purposes, the official said.
“Ports and airports that were being used by PETCO and BAPCO to import crucial materials for the operation of the pipeline have been attacked. Both companies currently have pending shipments of critical chemicals that they are unable to receive,” Dr. Naiem continued.
The RSF also attacked the electricity substations, including the substation inside the BAPCO MT, which Dr. Naiem said was directly utilized to supply power to the loading facilities.
He highlighted that the attack has led to a power outage in both marine terminals and has affected the ability of the two terminals to load crude oil simultaneously.
“The attacks on the fuel depots in Port Sudan and other storage facilities threaten a critical shortage in supplies of fuel critical for operating the transportation systems,” Dr. Naiem stressed.
“Ports and airports that were being used by PETCO and BAPCO to import crucial materials for the operation of the pipeline have been attacked. Both companies currently have pending shipments of critical chemicals, which they are unable to receive.”
South Sudan mainly relies on Sudanese pipelines and infrastructure to transport its oil to Port Sudan for export. Oil sales account for over 90% of the country’s revenue, any interruption will severely affect the already stricken economy.
