08 Jan 2018 | 09:31 AM UTC
Eritrea: Sudan closes its border with Eritrea Jan. 5
All border crossings between Sudan and Eritrea closed since January 5; thousands of Sudanese soldiers deployed in Kassala state
Event
The Sudanese government closed all its border crossings with Eritrea on January 5, days after a six-month state of emergency was declared in the Sudanese state of Kassala on December 30. It is unclear when the border will reopen.
Additionally, troops from the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (a governmental militia) have reportedly been deployed to the country’s eastern border with Eritrea since January 5. According to the Sudanese government, the move aims at stopping human trafficking and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region.
Context
Organized crime groups and trafficking networks operate in the east of Sudan, exploiting the porous borders with Eritrea and Ethiopia. The government has made an effort to combat this, but has been hindered by its limited resources.
Advice
Individuals wishing to travel between Sudan and Eritrea are advised to keep abreast of the situation and seek alternate routes.
