A SPLM senior official said South Sudan will not reverse its decision to shut down its oil production unless Khartoum revises its fee of 36 US Dollars per every barrel of oil passing through its pipelines.
SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization, Antipas Nyok, told Bakhita Radio this morning that South Sudan’s Government took the decision not to restart oil production until Khartoum understands the arguments of its negotiating team in Addis Ababa.He said his government’s position during the negotiations was meant to benefit Sudan and South Sudan by offering to Khartoum financial assistance of 2.6 billion dollars to compensate for the economic gap opened by the independence of South Sudan.
Mr Nyok said the Government will look for alternative options if Khartoum remains rigid about oil transit fees.
He added that Juba will engage the Khartoum government to protect South Sudanese living in the Sudan.
Mr Nyok explained that his government will not mistreat Sudanese in the South because the Government of South Sudan does not believe in what Khartoum believes.
Yesterday, South Sudan chief negotiator Pagan Amum told the authorities in Juba that Khartoum maintains its previous position of 36 dollars per barrel of crude passing through its infrastructure.