Lt Gen Abdel Fattah El Burhan visited Juba, South Sudan, to address key issues between the two countries amidst ongoing military escalations. This visit marks his third since the conflict erupted between the SAF and RSF. Discussions included crucial topics such as oil exports and regional borders, highlighting the necessity for ongoing cooperation and dialogue.
Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah El Burhan, the president of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council and commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, made an official visit to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to address significant bilateral issues. His visit marks the third of its kind since the onset of conflict between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April of the previous year. Upon arrival, he was greeted by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit and members of the Sudanese diplomatic mission in Juba.
The visit appears to be prompt and unanticipated, focusing on four critical matters regarding the relations between the two nations, as articulated by South Sudanese journalist Ateem Simon. Tensions have escalated along the Sudan-South Sudan border due to ongoing military skirmishes, particularly in southern White Nile state, where areas such as Babnis, Joda, and El Jabalein have seen military action. Notably, the contested oil-rich region of Heglig has become a focal point of contention.
Moreover, a major concern involves the pipeline that facilitates the transportation of South Sudanese crude oil to Bashayer Port on the Red Sea. Since South Sudan’s secession in 2011, this pipeline has been crucial for the landlocked nation, which heavily depends on oil revenues. However, exports have been stalled since February due to technical challenges, hindering South Sudan, which relies on oil for over 90 percent of its government funding. The losses are severe, estimated at $100 million monthly for South Sudan and transit fee losses for Sudan of approximately $24 per barrel.
Additionally, El Burhan’s visit coincides with comments made by Taban Deng Gai, a vice president of South Sudan, regarding Sudan’s lack of a governing body. Deng Gai criticized the government’s negligence regarding the status of the Abyei region, highlighting the urgent need for leadership in light of worsening economic and humanitarian conditions. The South Sudanese government later clarified that Deng Gai’s statements reflected his personal views rather than an official stance.
Furthermore, El Burhan, having assumed power through a joint coup d’état, now serves as the de facto guarantor of the revitalized South Sudan Peace Agreement, which was originally signed in 2018. Journalist Simon suggests that El Burhan’s visit might also relate to internal disagreements within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance concerning the vice presidency, necessitating discussions with Sudan regarding potential leadership changes within SSOA.
The visit by Lt Gen Abdel Fattah El Burhan to South Sudan comes against a backdrop of complex historical relations between the two nations, particularly following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011. Since then, tensions have often surged over border disputes, especially in oil-rich areas. The relationship has taken a turn for the worse following the recent civil conflicts in Sudan, which have further complicated regional dynamics. El Burhan’s leadership amidst ongoing military clashes between the SAF and the RSF adds another layer of complexity to Sudan’s internal and external diplomatic engagements.
In summary, El Burhan’s recent visit to South Sudan represents a critical step towards addressing pressing bilateral relations amidst the backdrop of military escalations and economic challenges related to oil exports. The ongoing unrest and political disagreements in both Sudan and South Sudan underscore the urgency for collaborative dialogue to resolve issues threatening the stability and prosperity of both nations. As such, fostering diplomatic relations remains essential as both countries navigate their intertwined fates.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
