South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has agreed with the de facto leader of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, that vital oil exports from the landlocked country could resume through its northern neighbour.

South Sudan’s oil exports were halted on February 6, 2024, due to damage to the Jabelyn-Port Sudan pipeline. A force majeure was declared on March 16 after gelling was discovered between Pump Stations 4 and 5, both situated within a military conflict zone.

South Sudan and Sudan have made progress towards restarting the pumping of South Sudan's crude oil through a pipeline running to a port in its neighbour, South Sudan's finance minister and the president's office said.

Despite its vast reserves, a South Sudan civil war and later regional conflict have severely impacted crude oil production in recent years.