The last round of talks between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan in post referendum issues ended in Addis Ababa without producing any tangible fruit due to disagreements over oil fees.
Justice Minister John Luk Jock told Bakhita Radio yesterday at Juba International Airport that the talks collapse when the Khartoum demanded 36 US Dollars per barrel South Sudan exported through its infrastructure.He explained that South Sudan did not agree on such charges because they are very high.
He said his government offered 2.6 billion US dollars to the Sudan spread over three years to assist their dwindling economy while negotiating a fair transit fee for South Sudan’s crude via Port Sudan.
Khartoum refused the offer and hanged on to the 36 dollars per barrel transit fee.
Mr. Luk revealed that no agreement will been signed until a consensus is reached between Juba and Khartoum over all the pending issues, including Abyei, border demarcation, pensions for South Sudanese who were Sudan’s employees, and payment of oil arrears to South Sudan.
Justice Luk said the Khartoum delegation concluded that they would take 36 dollars per barrel of crude in kind.
He said the Republic of South Sudan will not accept any unilateral deal decided by Khartoum, adding that the act would be illegal since both countries did not agree on a transit fee.
Oil Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau distributed today a press release saying that South Sudan is already paying fees for the use of pipelines and other oil-related infrastructure located in the Sudan.
The minister added that Khartoum does not have the right to take any unilateral decision regarding oil fees.
He added that if Sudan decides to take any crude from South Sudan, the act will be illegal and hostile.