On Sunday, Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held talks with South Sudan's Presidential Advisor on National Security, Tut Gatluak, on the resumption of South Sudan's oil shipments through Sudanese territory, local media reported.
"South Sudan's oil transportation line has been affected by the war in Sudan, and it is currently suspended due to the continued military operations in the areas alongside the line," Gatluak was quoted as saying.
A meeting between the two nations' oil ministries would be convened to discuss the matter, he said, reportedly adding that "oil constitutes a lifeline for the citizens of both countries."
Gatluak also conveyed a written letter from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the advancement of bilateral relations, according to media. At the same time, Gatluak relayed from al-Burhan confirmation of Sudan's readiness to provide all necessary assistance to facilitate the flow of South Sudan's oil through the pipeline.
South Sudan was pumping approximately 100,000 barrels of crude oil daily through Sudan for export, using the pipeline that is over 1,500 kilometers long and starts from the Malut Basin in Upper Nile State in South Sudan to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.
However, it was ruptured earlier this year during clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. The conflict between them began almost 14 months ago and has left around 15,500 people dead, more than 8.8 million displaced and almost 25 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN.