The Government of Southern Sudan is calling on the United States administration to lift sanctions on Sudan’s oil industry, critical for revenue for both North and South Sudan.
GoSS vice president Riek Machar Teny told reporters upon his arrival in Juba from a three-week tour to the USA that he lobbied for the suspension of sanctions on Sudan, especially those targeting the oil sector.He said South Sudan has no other way to export its oil but through Sudan and US oil sanctions on Sudan are affecting both countries.
Dr. Machar said if the US administration does not lift the sanctions on Sudan’s oil industry, it could give budget assistance to South Sudan and build a new pipeline for the South.
He explained that Khartoum is asking for a high financial transitional package due to the US sanctions on oil production.
The US Congress placed economic sanctions on Sudan in 1997 after it declared the country a sponsor of terrorism and oppressor of its minority Christian population.
President Barack Obama pledged to review the sanctions if Khartoum recognised the new nation of South Sudan.
Relations between the governments in Khartoum and Washington worsened after the northern army seized Abyei and carrying out massive attacks on the people of Southern Kordofan.