South Sudan expresses concern over Port Sudan drone attacks

May 7, 2025 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Wednesday voiced its concern over recent drone attacks on Port Sudan, a key maritime terminal for its oil exports, and urged all parties in Sudan to exercise restraint and prioritize peace.

The attacks, which have reportedly struck critical infrastructure including an oil depot and an airbase since Sunday, have raised fears in South Sudan that its crude oil shipments could be targeted. Revenue from oil is vital to South Sudan’s economy.

“It is unfortunate there is such a current situation in Sudan, but we are in contact with oil operating companies and the Sudanese authorities, especially officials at the Ministry of Petroleum in Sudan,” Deng Lual Wol, South Sudan’s Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Juba. “So far, our cargo is safe, and we are hopeful it will sail to safety.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes, which also reportedly hit a power station, causing outages and disrupting essential services in Port Sudan, a hub for humanitarian organizations.

Some Sudanese officials within the transitional sovereign council have accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their international backers of being behind the attacks, which they said caused significant damage and suffering.

Wol added that South Sudan’s president has called for restraint and urged Sudanese leaders to ensure the protection of cargo transiting through Sudan.

“Oil is a widely recognized international resource, crucial to global energy needs and has significant geopolitical implications,” Wol said. “Its availability and control have shaped international relations and continue to be a source of tension.”