JUBA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan and Sudan on Thursday announced establishment of a joint force to boost protection of oil fields in Unity State that was previously under the jurisdiction of Juba.
Elizekel Lol Gatkuoth, the South Sudan's Minister for Petroleum, told Xinhua that Juba and Khartoum agreed to cooperate in the area of security to facilitate uninterrupted oil production in Unity State.
Gatkuoth said the transitional government of national unity reiterated its commitment to resume oil production in Unity State and North fields and boost economies of the two neighboring countries.
"We have agreed to form Joint Oil Protection Force that will protect the oil fields from invasion by rebels and boost the oil production in a bid to improve the economies of the two countries," said Lol.
He revealed that a meeting will be held in Khartoum after the end of Muslims month of fasting and discuss how to work together to repair the damaged and closed down pipelines in Hegleg in order for production to resume effectively.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, retaining nearly three quarters of the oil fields. But the pipelines, refinery and port to export the oil remained in the hands of Khartoum.
In 2012, Sudan and South Sudan signed a comprehensive cooperation deal in Ethiopia, under the patronage of the regional bloc.
The deal included terms of understandings relating to security, citizens' status, border and economic issues as well as oil production.
South Sudan's conflict that has now entered its fifth year erupted after forces loyal to President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar engaged in combat.
The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, Juba, forcing Machar to flee into exile.
Millions of South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in neighboring countries as the conflict rages on despite attempts by international players to end it.
