JUBA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said on Thursday that it has reached an agreement with both warring parties in neighboring Sudan to secure the Heglig oil field, after the site was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services Ateny Wek Ateny told reporters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the tripartite deal was reached by South Sudan People's Defense Forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the RSF.
According to Ateny, South Sudan has consistently advocated for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the Sudanese conflict since its outbreak in April 2023.
South Sudan is hosting some SAF soldiers who retreated to the northern Unity State, after the RSF attacked the Heglig oil field, he noted.
The announcement came after the RSF said on Monday that it had taken full control of the oil-producing Heglig area in South Kordofan following the withdrawal of army troops.
"The government of South Sudan regrets these new bouts of hostilities and urges both the SAF and the RSF to embrace ongoing regional and international mediation initiatives," Ateny said.
He added that the renewed fighting between the rival forces continues to negatively affect the lives and property of the Sudanese people and has further intensified the displacement of civilians into South Sudan.
Located in the Muglad Basin, the Heglig oil field is among Sudan's most important oil-producing areas. It contains roughly 75 wells and key infrastructure, including pipelines, storage tanks, and processing stations, and serves as a major hub for crude pumped from South Sudan to Port Sudan for export. ■
