SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai – Credit: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio, November 22, 2024

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces have assured the public that the country’s oil infrastructure is secure, despite the reported capture of the Heglig oil field in Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces on Monday morning.

The paramilitary group reportedly entered the Heglig oil field, which hosts processing facilities for South Sudan’s crude.

Speaking to Eye Radio this afternoon, Major General Lul Ruai, the SSPDF spokesperson, said he had spoken with the Assistant Chief of the Defense Forces and had been informed about developments in Sudan.

According to General Lul, the conflict in Sudan—particularly in Kordofan, along the border with the Ruweng Administrative Area and Unity State—has not crossed into South Sudan.

He said the fighting remains on the Sudanese side of the border and added that oil facilities near the frontier have been secured.

“In the morning I got in touch with the assistant chief of the Defense Forces and they reported on the information you have just shared with me, and the response was that the conflict in the neighbouring Sudan, in general, and in Kordofan, which is bordering Ruweng Administrative Area and Unity State, that the fighting has not spilled over to the South Sudanese territory, that they were still fighting on the other side of the border, and that the oil infrastructure, the oil fields are safe and they are being protected by the SSPDF,” he said.

Major General Lul Ruai said SSPDF personnel are monitoring the border closely and maintaining communication with their Sudanese counterparts to follow the situation.

He also confirmed that oil operations in South Sudan are continuing normally and that any impact from the fighting remains on the Sudanese side.