Matia Samuel
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s envoy Benjamin Bol Mel and UAE President, Mohamed Ben Zayedn, during their meeting this week. [Photo: courtesy]
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Sudan renewed their obligation to end the civil war between the Sudan Armed Forces under Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces headed by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
According to the Sudanese media, President Salva Kiir sent SPLM official Mr. Bol Mel to “convey the message to UAE President, Mohamed Ben Zayedn, underscoring the importance of their strategic relationship,” and urged cooperation to restore peace in Sudan through dialogue.
According to the UAE official news agency, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, received the message on Tuesday, March 26, from Mr. Mel, who was sent as a special envoy for the mission.
It reported that their meeting focused on discussing aspects of bilateral relations and ways to develop and advance cooperation at all levels. However, the specific content of the letter remains undisclosed.
The engagement might have reportedly focused on protecting oil companies operating in RSF-controlled areas and repairing and maintaining oil facilities damaged by the conflict.
Oil revenue is crucial for South Sudan, accounting for over 90 per cent of its government budget and 70 per cent of its GDP. Disruptions in oil production due to the war have further strained the already struggling economy.
According to the Sudanese media, the UAE has close ties to the RSF leadership, which has drawn criticism from Sudan’s military. Some accuse the UAE of “fanning the flames of violence.” RSF leader Gen Dagalo, also known as Hemetti, reportedly maintains personal and financial ties to the UAE.
Earlier this week, the media reported that the main pipeline carrying oil from South Sudan through Sudan for export has been suffering stoppages since last month due to problems linked to the war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
A March 16 letter from Sudan’s minister of petroleum, declared force majeure on deliveries of oil through the pipeline to a terminal near Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast
The letter indicated that gelling had restricted flows on February 10 and that after this was cleared a major rupture occurred at another point in the pipeline.
The fighting continues to disrupt the economies and stability of both Sudan and South Sudan.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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