Global Witness urged South Sudan government to immediately stop issuing oil contracts as world leaders struggle to find a solution to the violence in the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Global Witness called on world leaders to join in demanding South Sudan’s leaders to stop issuing any new oil deals and suspend any ongoing negotiations.
South Sudan campaigner Emma Vickers said President Salva Kiir’s government must issue the suspension to ensure that the population’s future is not sold.
The Statement added that oil revenues were diverted to finance war and that there is a real risk that multi-million Dollar payments made by companies to secure future projects will fail to reach development budget.
New investors also face a chaotic and insecure situation in the country, threatening to drive down the government price for securing remaining oil assets.
Campaigner Vickers added that oil revenues could be instrumental in funding development, building schools, hospitals and roads.
He said it was critical for the government to suspend issuing new oil contracts to benefit citizens when peace returns rather than squandering on war or selling off on bad terms.