Sudan: Oil Companies Oppressing South Sudanese

Oil development has rapidly expanded since peace returned to southern Sudan, bringing huge rewards to the government. Sudan began exporting oil in August 1999, when production was 150,000 barrels per day. Now, production is about 500,000 barrels, expecting to rise to 1,000,000 barrels per day in two to three years.

The indigenous people of the oil areas, however, have languished in abject poverty. Oil companies have appropriated their lands without paying compensation, and have largely excluded them from employment opportunities.
Indeed, some indigenous people, whom I interviewed in 2006, claim that their living conditions have deteriorated.

Prior to oil development, Paloich was an insignificant location along the Melut-Malakal road.

The local people inhabited about 220 villages before the war, according to Laila, the MP representing Melut and Renk counties.

During the war, Paloich was occupied by the SAF. Most of the local people were killed or forced to flee. Most of the killings and displacement were carried out to protect oil companies from SPLA attacks.

However, violence, lack of water, roads and markets in nearby areas compelled destitute and displaced people to seek shelter in the garrison town, which had water and other basic services provided by oil companies.

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