OREANDA-NEWS. November 05, 2013. In response to recent Press reports on PETRONAS’ fuel supply services in Sudan, PETRONAS would like to offer the following statement:
 
PETRONAS Marketing Sudan Limited (PMSL), a subsidiary of PETRONAS, has been supplying fuel to the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operations in Darfur (UNAMID) since 2007.
 
PMSL’s contract was renewed in February 2013 to continue the supply to UNAMID for a further period of up to five years. PETRONAS therefore directly facilitates the humanitarian aid operations undertaken by UNAMID.
 
PETRONAS believes it is important to highlight that the purpose of its presence at Nyala Airport, which is a civilian airport, is to service UNAMID and domestic and international civilian airlines.
 
However, Sudanese government authorities, in particular the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sudan, can and does take control of the operation of the services at Nyala Airport from time to time.
 
In such instances, not only PMSL, but all other fuel suppliers present at Nyala Airport must comply with local legal requirements, including directives issued by the CAA. Such directives may include directing PMSL and other fuel suppliers to refuel a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) aircraft requiring such services at the airport.
 
The only alternative would be to cease operations altogether and thus denying the fuel supply services in support of UNAMID and to other users.
 
PETRONAS believes that PMSL’s supply contract with UNAMID is evidence of its support for humanitarian aid operations in Darfur and rejects any insinuation that its human rights record is “questionable” arising from this situation. Throughout its operation, PMSL adheres to all applicable local and international regulations, and it shall continue to do so.