South Sudan has resumed oil exports through the Sudan following the completion of a critical pipeline damaged by an airstrike, renewing hopes of economic easements for the oil-dependent country. 

Deng Lual Wol, an undersecretary at the South Sudanese Petroleum Ministry, confirmed on Tuesday, June 10, that the pipeline was operational with ships now collecting the crude oil from Sudan’s port for export. 

"The good news is our oil exports have resumed," Wol told reporters in Juba, attributing the swift restoration to efforts by President Salva Kiir and Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, as well as cooperation from Sudanese authorities and oil companies.

Wol emphasized that the renewed revenue would be instrumental in addressing government salary arrears and stimulating economic activity.

South Sudan relies almost entirely on the pipeline through Sudan to export its crude oil, which constitutes over 90% of its state revenue. 

The landlocked country’s oil exports were halted after an airstrike associated with the ongoing armed conflict between the two military factions: the Sudan Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Sudanese authorities have blamed the RSF without providing more details.

The oil export disruption had severely impacted South Sudan's national budget and stalled crucial development projects. 

A Sudanese diplomat in Juba, Maburak Mahjoub Musa, deputy head of Sudan’s mission, corroborated the restart, stating that joint technical teams had completed the repairs. 

"I can confirm that everything is functioning normally," Musa said.

The announcement came a day after employees at Nilepet, South Sudan’s state-owned oil company, went on strike to protest delayed salary payments and pay cuts, underscoring the depth of the fiscal crisis caused by the export disruption.