OIC Hopes Jeddah Declaration Would Help End Conflict in Sudan

A man walks near the last checkpoint before the Sudanese border crossing of Joda, in Wunthaou, South Sudan, 12 May 2023. (EPA)
A man walks near the last checkpoint before the Sudanese border crossing of Joda, in Wunthaou, South Sudan, 12 May 2023. (EPA)
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OIC Hopes Jeddah Declaration Would Help End Conflict in Sudan

A man walks near the last checkpoint before the Sudanese border crossing of Joda, in Wunthaou, South Sudan, 12 May 2023. (EPA)
A man walks near the last checkpoint before the Sudanese border crossing of Joda, in Wunthaou, South Sudan, 12 May 2023. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed on Friday the signing of the Jeddah declaration to protect civilians in Sudan.

In a press statement, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed hope that this declaration would act as an important step towards finally ending the armed dispute in Sudan and boosting security, peace, and stability in the country.

Taha commended the great good efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United States to reach this goal, underscoring the importance of the commitment of the signatories of the declaration to guarantee access to humanitarian and health aid to those in need in Sudan.

He noted the importance of continuing serious work within the joint Saudi-US initiative to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a negotiable end to the crisis in Sudan.

Taha called on the Sudanese parties to work towards observing Sudan's vital national interest of preserving its unity, state's institutions, security, peace, political stability and economic development.



Oil Rises as Investors Weigh Market Outlook, Tariffs, Sanctions

A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
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Oil Rises as Investors Weigh Market Outlook, Tariffs, Sanctions

A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Oil prices rose by around 1% on Friday as investors weighed a tight prompt market against a potential large surplus this year forecast by the IEA, while US tariffs and possible further sanctions on Russia were also in focus.

Brent crude futures were up 76 cents, or 1.11%, at $69.40 a barrel as of 1153 GMT US West Texas Intermediate crude ticked up 82 cents, or 1.23%, to $67.39 a barrel.

At those levels, Brent was headed for a 1.6% gain on the week, while WTI was up around 0.6% from last week's close.

The IEA said on Friday the global oil market may be tighter than it appears, with demand supported by peak summer refinery runs to meet travel and power-generation, Reuters reported.

Front-month September Brent contracts were trading at a $1.11 premium to October futures at 1153 GMT.

"Civilians, be they in the air or on the road, are showing a healthy willingness to travel," PVM analyst John Evans said in a note on Friday.

Prompt tightness notwithstanding, the IEA boosted its forecast for supply growth this year, while trimming its outlook for growth in demand, implying a market in surplus.

"OPEC+ will quickly and significantly turn up the oil tap. There is a threat of significant oversupply. In the short term, however, oil prices remain supported," Commerzbank analysts said in a note.

Further adding support to the short-term outlook, Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said on Friday that Russia will compensate for overproduction against its OPEC+ quota this year in August-September.

"Prices have recouped some of this decline after President Trump said he plans to make a 'major' statement on Russia on Monday. This could leave the market nervous over the potential for further sanctions on Russia," ING analysts wrote in a client note.

Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin due to the lack of progress on peace with Ukraine and Russia's intensifying bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

The European Commission is set to propose a floating Russian oil price cap this week as part of a new draft sanctions package, but Russia said it has "good experience" of tackling and minimising such challenges.