South Sudan plots oil pipeline to Kenya

A new oil pipeline from South Sudan to Kenya would solidify its the country’s independence from the north, said a government minister in Juba today

Anthony Makana, the minister for roads and transport, said the 200 km link would run from Juba to Kisumu, to join an existing pipeline stretching to an export terminal in Mombasa, on Kenya’s eastern coast. “A pipeline is a very easy thing for us,” he said. “All it takes are a few million dollars and then we can move our petroleum.” Makana added that South Sudan, which will gain independence from the North on 9 July (PE 2/11 p30), is already negotiating with unnamed companies to build the project. “All the companies want to build the pipeline. They are already in talks.” Although he would not say when the pipeline would be built, the news will be another blow to the government of north Sudan