Sudanese gov’t denies SPLM’s move to award oil concessions

KHARTOUM, Mar 15, 2005 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese government denied Tuesday the move of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to award oil concessions in the south.

A Sudanese official said the SPLM has no right to sign individual agreements or contracts with any circle concerning oil in Sudan, reported the SUNA news agency.

Amin Hassan Omar, a member of the Sudanese government’s delegation to previous peace talks with the SPLM, described the SPLM’s move as a clear and direct contradiction to the Nairobi peace agreement and therefore is not effective.

Khartoum signed a peace deal with the SPLM in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in January, ending a 22-year civil war in the country.

Amin said authority on oil and wealth was the most important issue during the Nairobi peace talks and the two sides agreed on forming a joint commission authorized for awarding contracts of oil and other underground wealth resources.

He asserted that the joint commission is the only authority responsible for previous concessions and for offering new oil concessions in any area in Sudan.

Amin added that no one has the right, neither the central government nor the south, to take a decision or to sign an oil contract.

Local press reported last week that the SPLM had signed a concession agreement for oil investment with the British oil firm White Nile.