Sudan, South Sudan Reach Agreement to Protect Oil Infrastructure

(MENAFN) Sudan and South Sudan have reached a pivotal agreement to safeguard oil facilities and central pipeline stations crucial for transporting South Sudan’s crude to Port Sudan on Sudan’s eastern coast, the two governments announced in a joint statement Monday.

The accord commits both nations to boosting technical expertise, increasing oil output, and ensuring the security of vital oil fields and pumping stations, the statement emphasized.

In addition, the two countries vowed to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism measures, intelligence sharing, and border security to enhance regional stability.

As part of broader efforts to deepen economic integration, they unveiled plans to form a joint economic committee tasked with promoting collaboration across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, energy, oil, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.

A key element of the deal is the proposal to establish a free trade zone at Port Sudan. This initiative aims to facilitate cross-border trade and investment, bolster the oil sector and its supply chains, and expedite the transit of goods bound for South Sudan.

These agreements were finalized during an official visit to Sudan by South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, who was in the country from Saturday through Monday.

While in Port Sudan, Kumba engaged in discussions with Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, along with other senior officials.

South Sudan’s economy heavily depends on oil exports, with Sudan playing a critical role in transporting crude oil to international markets. In return, Sudan benefits from transit fees, underscoring the economic interdependence between the two neighbors.

MENAFN06102025000045017169ID1110156083