This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, the East African Court of Justice issued a temporary injunction order, effectively banning the government of South Sudan and two mining companies from exporting oil due to environmental concerns.
The order was granted following a successful application by Hope for Humanity Africa (H4HA), a local non-governmental organization. H4HA accused the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and Dar Petroleum Operating Company Ltd of causing oil spills through pipeline leakage, resulting in environmental pollution in northern, northwest, and Upper Nile State in South Sudan.
According to H4HA, the oil spills pose a significant threat to the local population, who rely on the contaminated water sources for survival. The organization claims that over 47,249 people in Upper Nile State and 60,000 in Unity State are at risk of being exposed to the oil pollution.
As reported by journalist Joseph Oduha and human rights lawyer Wani Santino Jada of Pan African Law Chambers in Juba, the oil field production facilities under GPOC in Unity State and Dar Petroleum in Upper Nile State are outdated and in need of replacement.
‘Over 47,249 of the local population in Upper Nile State and 60,000 in Unity State are at risk of being exposed to the oil pollution this is because the local population depends on the wild foods for survival, the contaminated swamps, streams and rivers waters for cooking, drinking, washing, bathing and fishing,’ H4HA stated.
