Sudan Declares Oil Force Majeure Amid South Sudan Economic Crisis [5:09]

The Ministry of Petroleum in Sudan has declared a force majeure in a letter sent to oil companies in South Sudan. This declaration absolves Sudan from its obligation to transport South Sudan's oil to the marine terminal in Port Sudan. Minister Mohieldin Naim Mohamed Said cited oil flow restrictions and the gelling of crude oil in the pipeline, caused by ruptures in conflict zones, likely stemming from ongoing clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. South Sudan's economy has recently experienced a downturn, marked by high inflation and a sharp devaluation of the South Sudanese pound against the US dollar. President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol over the weekend and appointed Awow Daniel as his replacement, with a mandate to address the faltering economy. VOA’s Nabeel Biajo spoke with Lual Deng Acuek, a prominent South Sudanese economist and former Sudan oil minister, about these developments.