Sudan: Heglig Oil Deal ‘Highlights Economic Drivers behind Sudan’s War’

Jan 6, 2026
Dabanga
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As the new year began, the United States set a deadline for Sudan’s warring parties to reach a humanitarian truce, aiming to open safe corridors, protect civilians, and pave the way for a political process restoring civilian rule. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) refused the proposed truce under the Quartet, which includes the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accepted it.

Yet a tripartite agreement over the Heglig oil fields in West Kordofan temporarily neutralised the area. SAF withdrew, and the South Sudan People’s Army assumed responsibility for securing the oil facilities.

The field processes some 130,000 barrels of South Sudanese crude for export via pipelines in Sudan. The deal, designed to protect economic interests, sparked controversy for ignoring civilians in other conflict zones.