Editorial: Oil Deal Biggest Security Warranty

In the news Sudan reiterated that oil deal with South Sudan cannot be implemented without a comprehensive agreement over the remaining unresolved issues, particularly the security matters.
According to the NCP officials, oil transit through the Sudanese pipelines would start only after an agreement over the implementation of security arrangements.
Sudan reiterated its previous stance that if the South Sudanese government is keen to export its oil production though the Sudanese pipelines, the security file should be integrally resolved including the disengagement with the northern sector (SPLM-N), the expulsion of the armed movements, the withdrawal of the ninth and tenth (SPLM) divisions from South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
However, the psychological backgrounds resulted from the attack of the SPLA and its occupation to Heglig – an area which has never been a disputed area  - then the intended destruction to the oil facilities in the area before pulling out, make the security obsession dominating any talks over the outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan.
Such psychological backgrounds had its consequences even after defeating the SPLA in Heglig in a national heroic epic that witnessed the maturity of Sudanese people in advancing the national agendas over any other narrow partisan agendas.
We believe that those implications are still there, we agree with the government in its insistence to finish with the security files before entering into any other deals.
Notwithstanding, the oil deal signed will definitely lead to expediting reaching a security agreement, especially from the side of South Sudan because the oil represents 98% of the revenue, and according to that the Republic of South Sudan will be very keen to sustain peace through security arrangements, otherwise there will be no economic stability in the new-born state.
The southerners have no option other than sustaining peace and resolve all outstanding issues if they require economic stability.
Accordingly, the security arrangements are not only necessary for the stability of situation between the two Sudans, but real implementation of oil deal represents the practical stability.