On the Sudan - South Sudan Oil Negotiations

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Press Statement

Victoria Nuland

Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

January 21, 2012

The U.S. supports the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel's (AUHIP) Roadmap proposal for an agreement to resolve the current oil crisis and set a timeline for a final oil and financial agreement between Sudan and South Sudan. We urge both countries to agree to its terms. We further urge the parties to redouble their efforts to reach an agreement on permanent oil and financial arrangements as the impending crisis threatens not only the flow of oil but also long term damage to infrastructure. Therefore an agreement that addresses the current crisis has become necessary and is in the interests of both countries.

The AUHIP proposal recognizes and takes into account the concerns of Sudan and South Sudan that will need to be addressed in a permanent agreement. It will allow for the immediate resumption of normal oil operations, which is critical to the stabilization of their economies. The proposal requires both Sudan and South Sudan to refrain from any unilateral action related to the oil sector that adversely affects the interests of the other State. It sets a firm agenda and timetable for negotiations on a final agreement to include both commercial oil rates and a transitional financial arrangement.

The U.S. commends the efforts of the AUHIP in facilitating these negotiations and we urge the AUHIP to continue its work on reaching a final agreement in the timetable proposed.