Global Witness Hopes Oil Revenue May Pave The Way For Peace in Darfur

4 June 2010 - (Nairobi) – Global Witness says oil exploration in the north of Darfur in Sudan could provide an incentive for peace if revenues are distributed equally in the area.

Global Witness campaigner Mike Davis said that after an analysis of the area, there was evidence which suggests the presence of oil in block 12A.

He spoke to SRS from London on Thursday.

[Mike Davis]: “What we found through analyzing the satellite images that there is a grid of over 500km of entirely straight lines which are characteristic of a seismic exploration for oil. This occurred between September 2009 and March 2010. We then obtained a much more detailed, close-up image of what appears to be an oil exploration camp in the same area. That image was taken in January this year. The outline of the camp, the vehicles within it, the accommodation huts are all characteristics of an oil exploration site. What we have done is we have contacted the companies concerned, to ask for their views on the block that we have analysed but they have decided not to reply to us.’’

Mike Davis added that it is in the interest of the people of Darfur to know what is going on in the area.

[Mike Davis]: “We think that this is an issue of huge public interest that people who live in Darfur and the whole of Sudan more widely should know about. We also think that it is something that should discussed more widely and quite openly in the context of the peace negotiations between the government and JEM and other rebel groups that are going on in Qatar. Its important and a very positive and useful thing that the potential of oil if it exists in Darfur is addressed directly and it could in fact help the warring parties to focus more closely on how thy can forge an agreement which could be in the best interest of the people of Darfur.”

There is currently a small amount of oil produced in South Darfur, in block 6. Block 12A, the area in the satellite images reviewed by Global Witness is allocated to the Great Sahara Petroleum Operating Company, a consortium of Yemeni, Saudi, Jordanian, Libyan and Sudanese oil companies.