Information Minister Michael Makuei speaking to reporters after the council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir on Friday, 6th Oct 2023. (Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio).

The South Sudan government has confirmed that the oil export is facing significant challenges due to the war in Sudan and the attacks on cargo ships by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The country transports its crude oil in a pipeline through war-torn Sudan to the Red Sea port before reaching the international market.

However, on 19th November 2023, the Houthis controlling a large part of Yemen, hijacked a commercial ship in the Red Sea and have since attacked dozens of others with drones, missiles and speed boats.

The Houthis said they are targeting ships because of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.

Information Minister Michael Makuei said the situations in Sudan and Red Sea has impeded the crude oil export, which accounts for a large part of South Sudan’s revenue.

Addressing reports in Juba on Tuesday, Makuei said there have been technical issues in the pipelines as well as challenges in finding buyers for the crude.

“The war that erupted in Sudan has affected us directly, because our oil that we produce in South Sudan passes through Sudan, using a pipeline to the Red Sea Port,” Makuei said.

“Some of you have been asking us, what is happening about the blockade, and we put it that the crisis of Houthis affected us in the Red Sea because they have made a blockade in the Red Sea.”

The United States and the United Kingdom have responded to the disruption of the vital pathway by bombing Houthi sites in Yemen, but the rebel group have not ceased their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.