Sudan’s RSF paramilitary seizes the Heglig oil field, shutting down production and threatening revenue for both Sudan and South Sudan
PORT SUDAN: Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized control of the country’s largest oil field.
Paramilitary, army and industry sources confirmed the capture of the Heglig field on Monday as fighting intensifies in the resource-rich south.
“The liberation of the Heglig oil region is a pivotal point in the liberation of the entire homeland, given the region’s economic importance,” the RSF said in a statement.
An engineer at the field confirmed the RSF’s takeover, telling AFP the team had “shut it down and halted production, and the workers were evacuated to South Sudan”.
A military source said army forces withdrew “to protect the oil facilities and prevent damage”.
An RSF-led alliance pledged to “secure all oil installations” and allow engineers to carry out maintenance to ensure production continuity.
The RSF’s advance in Kordofan is backed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.
The two groups allied earlier this year, forming a coalition now governing the western Darfur region from Nyala.
The Heglig field is also the main processing facility for South Sudan’s oil exports, which make up nearly all of its government revenue.
The pipeline carrying oil to Port Sudan is a key income source for impoverished Sudan, whose economy has collapsed during the war.
Former oil minister Gadein Ali Obeid called the situation a “disaster”, saying Sudan has now lost its two main oil-producing regions.
“All of Sudan’s oil production originates from both of them,” he added.
Since losing its last Darfur holdout in October, the army has been on the defensive trying to halt the paramilitary advance.
Sudan is now effectively split in two, with the army holding the north, east and centre, and the RSF controlling the west and swathes of the south. – AFP
