Jonglei and Lakes support oil pipeline shut-down

January 25, 2012 (BOR) – The Jonglei state deputy governor, Hussein Maar, called up on the South Sudanese people to stand behind the government in support of Government of South Sudan (GoSS) “wise decision” to shut down the oil pipeline that runs across the border into Sudan.

Hundreds of people matched in Bor, the state captial, in support of the shutting down the pipelines.

The shutting of the pipeline is an escalation in the row between Juba and Khartoum on the payment of transit fees.

Juba claims Khartoum has “looted” US$815 billion worth of its oil and Khartoum claims Juba owes US$1 billion in unpaid transit fees. Khartoum is demanding US$36 per barrel in transit fees and Juba is aiming for US$1.

Recent negotiations in Ethiopia hosted by the AU High-level Implementation Panel failed to reach a resolution and Juba has now dramatically reduced its oil output.

“Today’s session is in support of the decision made by our government and president Salva Kiir in Juba. So the people of Jonglei are fully behind the decision of shutting down the oil pipeline,” Maar explained to the gathering in Bor.

Maar also warns the public of the economic consequences that may arise from the decision; oil wealth makes up 90 per cent of South Sudan’s economy.

According to Maar, members of state government may reduce their salaries to aid the situation; for which he appealed for understanding.

“There is no option but to shut it down,” said Maar.

Some traders in the area aired their complaints about the decision:

Abdelaziz Mohamed Ali, a Darfuran in Bor said they were angered by police orders this morning, forcing them to close theirs shops to attend the rally.

According to Mohamed, support for the government’s actions should be a matter of individual choice.

“We are not politicians. […] our main interest is to sell our goods,” said Mohamed.

South Sudan opposition leader. Lam Akol, described the government decision as “unwise” on Wednesday, according to The Citizen – a news paper printed in Juba.

South Sudan and Kenya have signed a memorandum of understanding on the building of an oil pipeline from South Sudan to the Kenyan port of Lamu.

Lakes State

Thousands of people inhabitants of Rumbek, the capital of Lakes state turned out on January 24 to support the decision of South Sudan council of ministers to shut down oil production.

Rumbek National Senior Secondary School led the protest and all primary school in Rumbek unanimously joined demonstration march from Rumbek Senior School to the office of the Lakes state government general secretariat to present the grievances to state governor Chol Tong Mayay in his office.

Some businesses in Lakes state immediately closedown their shops as the join the demonstration march calling Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir thief.

Several businessmen in Rumbek from Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan – areas of north Sudan where there are active insurgencies against the Khartoum government – walked into freedom square earlier today and held prayers for peace.

Students carried posters saying “Bashir is a great thief”. Student’s described the government’s decision to shut down oil production as wise.

Moses Majok, one of students who joined the demonstration, praised the the “wise” decision taken by South Sudan council of ministers in Juba.

Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay welcomed the people of Lakes state’s support on Tuesday.

“Thank you people of Lakes state for overwhelmed support to your government. This is your government. This is your country whereby you had lost most of your children during the struggle. It is absolutely your right to support your cabinet. We will not give up in pursuing our right[s] from Khartoum government.”.

Chol explain that South Sudan needed to diversify away from oil dependency. At present oil provides 98% of the governments budget.

“We will talk with Khartoum government to secure other remaining issues but we will not insist Khartoum government to listen to us but they must listen to us at the end of the day”.

This is the first time Lakes state inhabitants voluntarily come out to join demonstration without government instructing to join a demonstration indicating the strong feeling many South Sudanese have on the issue.

(ST)