SSPLM leader condemns South Sudan-Russia oil deal, calls it illegal

The chairman of the opposition South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SSPLM), Dr. Deng Bol Aruai Bol, has strongly condemned the preliminary arrangement announced by the Office of the President to transfer former Petronas interests in Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) and Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) to Russia’s Zarubezhneft.

According to the announcement, a Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Acceptance were signed in Moscow on 29 October 2026, but financial and other details were not disclosed.

President Salva Kiir’s office announced on Thursday that South Sudan has taken a major step toward expanding its oil partnership with Russia after senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum, Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet), and Russian state oil company Zarubezhneft met at the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation in Moscow.

“The meeting was co-chaired by South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Awow Daniel Chuang, and Russia’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Sergey Tsivilev. It took place on the sidelines of the third Russia–Africa Summit, which South Sudan is attending from October 26–31,” Kiir’s press unit said. “The proposed transaction is viewed as a historic development for both countries, opening the way for deeper economic, technical, cultural, and investment cooperation between South Sudan and the Russian Federation.”

However, Deng Bol, a political leader and former child soldier who led the Red Army Foundation from 2012 to 2022 and is currently in exile, said on Friday that oil resources must serve the public interest.

“Yet 21 years under Salva Kiir tell a different story: war, displacement, unpaid salaries, failing public services, and widespread hardship despite the country’s oil wealth,” he wrote. “His [Kiir’s] administration must account for past revenues, accumulated debts, and obligations against future production before making further commitments.”

He said the SSPLM rejects the legitimacy of Kiir’s Juba-based, family-controlled administration.

“Following the dissolution of the transitional government on 22 September 2026, we contest its mandate to govern and enter lasting resource agreements on behalf of South Sudan. Continued control of state offices does not resolve that challenge,” Deng Bol charged. “Article 172 of the Transitional Constitution places ownership of petroleum and gas in the people of South Sudan and requires their management for public benefit. Signing agreements abroad cannot replace accountability at home.”

Sergey Tsivile, Russia’s Energy Minister (L), and Awow Daniel Chuang, South Sudan’s petroleum minister (R), (standing) witness the signing of the deal on Thursday in Moscow. (Credit: OoP)

The SSPLM leader called on the Russian Federation and Zarubezhneft to suspend the transaction.

“They must recognise that the [Kiir] administration’s legitimacy is contested and establish lawful ownership, the signatories’ authority, and compliance with mandatory approvals before proceeding,” Deng Bol said. “We demand disclosure of the signed documents, financial terms, liabilities, and commitments against future oil revenues. Any agreement concluded without lawful authority or required approvals must be declared null and void through the appropriate legal process.”

“We urge political parties, civil society, professional bodies, oil-producing communities, and other stakeholders to condemn this arrangement and demand independent scrutiny,” he added.

Deng Bol said the people of South Sudan must not bear further obligations while the failures of the past 21 years remain unaccounted for.

The Malaysian state-owned Petronas oil and gas company held a 40 percent interest in DPOC and another 30 percent stake in GPOC before withdrawing from South Sudan in 2024.

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