Egyptian Authorities Prevent Goods from Leaving for Sudan

Sudanese importers of goods from Egypt through the Qastal border crossing reported that Egyptian authorities have been preventing their trucks, loaded with various goods, from leaving since last Thursday. This is happening on the Egyptian side of the Qastal border crossing with the Ashkeet crossing.

The Egyptian side refused to allow these trucks to pass, citing that they carry diverse goods such as tuk-tuks, food items, and electrical appliances.

Sudanese drivers mentioned that approximately 95% of the trucks from Sudan are driven by Egyptians, as they have entry visas and enjoy more freedom of movement than Sudanese drivers, who face difficulties obtaining visas.

Sudanese importers warned of the gravity of this situation. They told *Al-Ahdath* that the halt in goods’ movement is causing significant losses because the Sudanese government has set a deadline of September 23, 2024, after which goods can only be imported through the commercial register for exporters and importers. This means the situation is critical as the deadline has passed. They warned that the Egyptian authorities’ detention of these goods would lead to exceeding the permitted entry period.

The importers appealed to the Sudanese Ministry of Trade to extend the grace period and called on the Egyptian side to resolve the issue of the loaded trucks and allow them to depart, emphasizing that they and their goods now face an uncertain fate.