Economic Co-Operation With North Will Continue: Oil Minister for Southern Sudan

The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has assured North Sudan of its economic co-operation should the South secede.

The GoSS Minister of Energy and Mining Garang Diing Akuong told the press in Juba that the Southern government would not want to derail the economy of the North after the January vote.

“The leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is aware of the economic desperation the North is going to have, especially now that secession of South Sudan looks inevitable”, said the Minister.

“It is not in our interest that the South or the North economy collapses”, said the Minister.

He said that 70 percent of the income of the Government of National Unity (GONU) comes from the South’s resources.

He added that as part of the post- referendum arrangements and negotiations, the Government of Southern Sudan-GOSS would want to see the North with a viable economy.

Garang said despite weaknesses the Government of National Unity will have by losing the oil wealth to the South, South Sudan still has weaknesses in manpower and technological skills.

“The South’s weaknesses are not long term challenges and would therefore be resolved within the shortest period of time”, said Akuong.

The Minister said the GoSS is working on laws to regulate the exploitation of minerals in the region.

“We want to regulate the mining sector. After November we will have two laws in place that will help to regulate the mining sector”, he said.

He said the exploitation of oil in South Sudan and Sudan at large has negatively impacted on the peoples, adding that GoSS will review the agreements with oil exploration companies.