South Sudan and Sudan have made progress towards restarting the pumping of South Sudan's crude oil through a pipeline running to a port in its neighbour, South Sudan's finance minister and the president's office said.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has agreed with the de facto leader of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, that vital oil exports from the landlocked country could resume through its northern neighbour. Sudan’s 17-month civil war has disrupted South Sudan’s oil industry, which the country’s economy relies on.

South Sudan’s oil exports were halted on February 6, 2024, due to damage to the Jabelyn-Port Sudan pipeline. A force majeure was declared on March 16 after gelling was discovered between Pump Stations 4 and 5, both situated within a military conflict zone.

JUBA, South Sudan | Xinhua | South Sudan said Monday that substantial progress has been made together with joint oil operating companies to resume production of the lucrative Dar blend oil in northern Upper Nile State.

Despite its vast reserves, a South Sudan civil war and later regional conflict have severely impacted crude oil production in recent years.