The Timeline
The below timeline outlines key events in the history of the Sudan conflict and notable international involvement that shape the larger context around Lundin’s presence in Sudan.
History of Sudan conflict
Date
International presence
1955
First civil war breaks out between southern insurgents and the nascent government.
1956
Sudan declared an independent republic.
1972
Addis Ababa agreement is signed to end civil war and grant the South more autonomy.
Diplomatic relations with the US resumes.
1979
First commercial discovery of oil by Chevron.
1983
Second civil war breaks out when Nimeiri introduces sharia law; the Sudan People's Liberation Movement / Army (SPLM/A) is founded with John Garang as its leader.
1984-87
Widespread famine caused by drought and desertification struck western Sudan.
SPLA attacks Chevron and forces shutdown.
End of second civil war. Military coup, led by Omar al-Bashir, overthrows Government of Sudan (GoS).
1989
UN Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) launched by the UN and member states to deliver relief aid to all internally displaced people in Sudan.
1991
SPLA splits between John Garang and Riek Machar; leads to the militarisation of south Sudan.
Lundin Petroleum's subsidiary, Red Sea Oil Corporation begins drilling in the Delta Tokkar Block.
1997
Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) signed.
Block 5A oil concession is awarded to a consortium including Lundin, the Malaysian company Petronas, the Austrian company OMV and the Sudanese company Sudapet. Scouting work begins.
Lundin were assured by local leaders that they are welcome in the area.
1998
Bahr el Ghazal suffers severe famine and flooding leading to starvation, death and displacement. Aid stolen by local military leaders and tribal chiefs.
A highland camp used by Lundin, 75 km south of Bentiu, is overrun and occupied. Operations are suspended.
1999
Sudan becomes an oil exporter. With first pipeline to Port of Sudan. SPLA attacks installations.
Lundin operations partly resume. Exploratory drilling begins at Thar Jath rig site in April. In May, Thar Jath is attacked, and three local guards are killed.
Lundin shifts to building infrastructure sites in Block 5A including the base camp, the airstrip refurbishment, a 75km all-weather road from Rubkona to Thar and a bridge over the Bahr el Ghazal river.
2000
Amnesty International publishes “Sudan: The Human Price of Oil”, looking at the oil industry in Sudan, relying on Peter Gadet as its sole interviewee.
2001
SPLA declares oil facilities and personnel legitimate military targets. Attacks led by Peter Gadet (later on EU and UN sanctions list). Riek Machar resigns as VP and rejoins SPLA.
The Presbyterian Church of Sudan and others file a US lawsuit against the Canadian oil and gas producer, Talisman Energy, who purchased rights to Blocks 1,2 and 4. They claim that Talisman aided the GoS in the commission of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Lundin begins its Community Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program for local community. Drilling restarts.
Christian Aid’s publishes “Scorched Earth: Oil and War in Sudan” without having visited Block 5A. CA report alleges mass displacement in the area. Swedish FM, Anna Lindh reiterates UN position that oil companies should not leave Sudan. Lindh and Embassy officials invited to Block 5A. Ian Lundin and journalist Bengt Nilsson visit Block 5A. No evidence of displacement is found. Lundin publishes its response to Christian Aid’s report.
Helicopter used by Lundin for seismic activities shot down in December.
2002
Lundin temporarily suspends drilling operations. It warns that it needs a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement for Lundin operations to restart properly.
2003
Human Rights Watch publishes “Sudan, Oil and Human Rights” report, repeating Christian Aid’s discredited allegations.
Lundin never properly resumes operations and sells its assets in Block 5A to Petronas Carigali (without ever having produced any oil).
2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed, laying the foundations for a referendum on independence for the south in 2011. John Garang dies in a helicopter crash and Salva Kiir becomes his successor.
2006
The District Court of New York dismisses the claim against Talisman.
2009
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirms the District Court’s decision. The Court holds that the claimants had failed to establish that Talisman “acted with the purpose to support the Government’s offences.”
Lundin sells its assets in Block 5B, after it failed to find oil. Lundin leaves Sudan.
2010
ECOS publishes the “Unpaid Debt – The Legacy of Lundin, Petronas and OMV in Block 5A, Sudan 1997-2003” report.
Two weeks later, the Swedish Prosecutor District Attorney Magnus Elving at the International Prosecutor’s Office in Stockholm announces its preliminary investigation into violations of humanitarian law in Sudan from 1997-2003.
2011
Referendum held on southern independence. South Sudan becomes an independent nation.
2013
First civil war in South Sudan between Kiir and Machar supporters. 400,000 people are estimated to have died.
2016
The Company Chairman and former CEO of Lundin Energy are formally declared to be under suspicion, six years after the Prosecutor began his investigation.
2017
Lundin's Chairman and former CEO are interviewed for the first time in November.
2020
South Sudan civil war ends with Peace Agreement signed in February.