SPLA claims: oil companies trying to divert South Sudan oil.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army is claiming that some Sudanese oil companies are trying to divert South Sudan oil by drilling at the buffer zone between the two countries.

SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer said that South Sudan has a right to protect its border.

“Something like oil piracy (is) happening at the border which is not supposed to happen. The SPLA patrol unit was going to confirm who was drilling in that area because that is a buffer zone which is waiting for border demarcation. So what so ever the case is not acceptable,” he told Eye Radio.  “In the border the SPLA is mandated by the constitution of the Republic of South Sudan to protect the border, the integrity and the properties of the Republic of South Sudan, the SPLA is just doing that and will continue to do that. ”

SPLA Division 4 Commander James Koang Chuol claimed that some oil companies are working to pump the oil outside the channels agreed between Khartoum and Juba.

However, the Sudanese Minister of Information, Ahmed Bilal Osman denies the allegations as unfounded.

“These are baseless accusations, and it is being unrealistic. Currently we are in discussions with the new government and with President Salva Kiir, and there is a lot of confidence growing between us. This must be maintained,” he said.  “If there were any such attempts like that, it will be exposed.’’

The SPLA has called on the international community to send a team to investigate its claims at the buffer zone.

Last week a joint security meeting was held in Juba to discuss security issues between two countries.