Sudan supports OPEC’s decision to cut oil production
October 18, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan on Tuesday voiced support for the decision of OPEC+ to cut oil production after sharp U.S. criticism of the main oil producer in the region.
On October 12, OPEC +, which gathers the 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies including Russia, decided to cut oil output by two million barrels per day.
Washington slammed Saudi Arabia for imposing the cut saying it would enable Russia to resist the international sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the Sudanese foreign ministry voiced its support for OPEC +’s decision and denounced “the campaign” against Saudi Arabia.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely followed the repercussions of the OPEC+ decision to reduce oil production (…), the campaign against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the attempts to blame it for the consequences of the decision.” the ministry said in a statement.
The foreign ministry said Sudan, as a member of the OPEC+, affirms that the decision to reduce oil production was taken by consensus among all Member States.
“Sudan supports the position expressed by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that OPEC+ decisions are based on purely economic considerations, and according to the offer and demand, to achieve stability of energy markets (…)”.
Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain and Algeria voiced their support for the decision saying it was needed to maintain a balanced oil market.
The White House and some U.S. Congressmen accused Saudi Arabia of helping Russia fund its war in Ukraine by pushing up oil revenues.
Also, National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby accused Saudi Arabia of pushing other oil-producing countries to agree to the oil cut.
“Other OPEC nations communicated to us privately that they also disagreed with the Saudi decision, but felt coerced to support Saudi’s direction,” Kirby said.
OAPEC comprises Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.
OPEC partners are Azerbaijan, Kingdom of Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sultanate of Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan.
(ST)