an oil pipe near oilfields

The Sudanese government has announced that it will further extend the deadline to stop the flow of South Sudanese crude through its territory.

It says the decision is a response to a request made by President Salva Kiir.

Sudan’s oil minister Awad Al-Jaz said that President al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir have agreed to delay the stoppage by another two weeks until September 6th.

“In the request letter from African Union and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, they requested our President to extend the deadline up to 6th of September in order to allow for the completion of negotiations on issues related to the security between Sudan and South Sudan, until there are no more accusations and allegations between the two countries,” Advisor for the Sudanese Ministry of Information Dr. Rabi Abdulatti told Eye Radio today.

Mr. Abdulatti added that Sudanese authorities hope for the continuation of the flow.

Last March, the two countries signed a deal, detailing timelines for the implementation of all the nine cooperation agreements signed by the two countries a little under a year ago.

However, the implementation process broke down as Khartoum accused Juba of breaching the deal by continuing to support rebel groups seeking to unseat President Bashir.

Juba also accuses Khartoum of backing rebels in Jonglei.

However, African Union mediator Mbeki and Chinese special envoy to Africa Zhong Jianhua have convinced the Sudanese President to hold it off while several committees work to verify rebel support claims made by Khartoum and Juba.

The South’s oil export revenues, and the fees it must pay Khartoum for use of the oil infrastructure, are potentially worth billions of dollars to both impoverished nations.