Sudan army steps up military operations around Heglig oil field

The evacuation order followed fighting earlier this month in Mayom County between forces loyal to renegade Peter Gatdet, the former Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) deputy in Northern Bhar-El-Gazal command who defected to form the rebel South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA).

The Unity State government's decision to evacuate northern Sudanese employees stems from its allegation that the northern National Congress Party (NCP) is backing militias that have attacked the oil-rich state.

"The expulsion order is a worrying step."
Kathelijne SchenkelKathelijne Schenkel, a member of European Coalition on Oil in Sudan (ECOS), has called the expulsion order a "worrying step". If the northern workers leave, she said, oil operations might have to be suspended, which would have financial impacts on the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and Unity State.

Company representatives told Schenkel that without revenues from the oil operators' concession, the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC), the high cost of an unused pipeline could exacerbate an already deteriorating situation.

Following the radio announcement of the state authorities' evacuation order, all northerners were asked to fly to Khartoum and await further notification before resuming work in the state.

Unity State spokesman Gideon Gatpan cited a written request from Governor Taban Deng Gai asking President Omar Bashir to investigate the SAF after a similar attack by the Miseriya last December.

According to Thoar, the Khartoum government has yet to respond. After recent clashes involving the SSLA, the Unity State government said it would expel all staff from northern Sudan who work in the region's oil production. Heglig, Sudan's biggest oil field, is about 90 kilometres north of the state capital Bentiu.

One local resident expressed fears that without negotiations backed by the international community, the Khartoum government's increased military operations in the area could result in fresh conflict with the South Sudan Army.