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July 3, 2024 (Juba) – Sudan’s ongoing war is affecting the implementation of the September 2018 peace deal and disrupting oil deliveries, an official said.
Tut Gatluak Manyime, South Sudan’s presidential adviser on national security affairs, said the implementation of the peace agreement remains behind schedule as the current economic crisis has affected the timeline of the adopted roadmap.
He spoke to reporters after concluding a review of the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and road map in the capital, Juba.
Gatluyak revealed that the implementation of the agreement faces challenges as the economic crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Sudan.
Key provisions of the peace agreement that remain unresolved include security arrangements, the constitution-making process, institutional reforms and preparations for elections.
“Several challenges have affected the implementation of the peace agreement. One of these challenges is the economic crisis caused by the Sudanese civil war. “As you know, we have no external support and the war in Sudan has severely disrupted oil exports and affected revenue flows. We have no other major source of income, oil and taxes are not enough,” Gatluak said
South Sudan’s crude oil is sold on the international market through Sudan, but the war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has affected the flow of crude oil. In February this year, an oil pipeline that carries more than 60% of the crude oil to the international market was damaged by fighting between Sudan’s warring parties. Repairs have not been carried out despite efforts by the oil operating company to carry out repairs and maintenance, with one side guaranteeing the support of the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities and the other the leadership and command of the RSF.
Oil revenues account for nearly 90 percent of South Sudan’s annual budget.
Gatluak was tasked by President Salva Kiir to mediate a cessation of hostilities between Sudan’s rival parties to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict areas in Southern Kordofan, particularly the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions, but the parties interested in negotiating withdrew their representatives for consultations and did not return to the talks to conclude the negotiations and sign an agreement.
The Sudanese military is leaning towards a limited ceasefire agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, which is under the overall leadership and command of Abdul Aziz Adam Hilu, to facilitate access and delivery of humanitarian aid to the Kordofan region. In the Kordofan region, the paramilitary RSF has captured two key areas, El Obeid and Babanusa, which are still under the control of the Sudanese army.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North is seeking access to all conflict-affected areas of Sudan.
This difference in approach delayed negotiations and agreement.
“A lot of money is needed to implement the agreement, even though South Sudan has been going through an economic crisis,” Gatluyak explained, adding that “since the implementation of the peace agreement, no external assistance has been received except for military uniforms and training camps conducted by the South Sudanese government.”
South Sudan hopes to use the ceasefire to resume oil production and export it through Sudan to generate revenue, hoping to use the revenue to implement the peace agreement. However, due to the war in Sudan, South Sudan said it could not implement the peace agreement because it would require huge funds, which it could not obtain without external support.
(English stone)
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