S. Sudan provides assurances for safety of Chinese oil workers

January 14, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said he had provided assurances to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, of the government’s commitment to protecting oil staff and facilities during a one-day meeting in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Speaking to reporters after his return to Juba on Wednesday, Benjamin said both warring parties had committed to ending the conflict amicably.

“We reassured them (the Chines) about the safety of personnel who are involved in important economic institutions in the Republic of South Sudan,” said Benjamin.

China is the largest investor in South Sudan’s oil industry, the country’s main source of revenue.

Since the conflict erupted in December 2013, oil fields in Unity state have been forced to close and the overall daily output has been significantly reduced.

Benjamin said the South Sudanese government would also take steps to ensure that oil fields in Upper Nile state are protected.

“I think it is a very, very important thing – that they (the Chinese) wanted the assurance that these institutions are properly protected and not to be destroyed in any form,” he said.

Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the Chinese had initiated the meeting, which included members of the opposition faction led by former vice-president Riek Machar.

He said the meeting was held to supplement the on ongoing peace process, which is being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

“This is in order to back up the peace process of IGAD,” said Lueth, a member of the government delegation that participated in the Khartoum-hosted meeting, told reporters in Juba on Wednesday.

(ST)