Sudan: Beja tribal groups lift port blockade Nov. 1 /update 4

Event

Beja tribal leaders have agreed to lift a blockade on Port Sudan, oil pipelines, and roads linking eastern Sudan to the rest of the country Nov. 1. The development comes after the leaders struck a deal with Sudanese military leaders, who staged a coup d'etat and dissolved the transitional government Oct. 25. According to local sources, the lifting of the blockade will last through Dec. 1 until the military leaders form a new government.

Although the blockade has ended temporarily, lingering shipping and supply chain disruptions are possible in the coming days.

Context

Protesters affiliated with the Beja Congress political group began the blockade in mid-September to demonstrate against elements of the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement peace that the transitional government reached with rebel groups. Additionally, they accused the transitional government of failing to meet their demands, including the unification of all three eastern states (Kassala, Red Sea, and Al-Qadarif) into one region. The Sudanese government warned that the country was running out of essential medicines, fuel, and wheat due to the protests in mid-October.

Advice

Reconfirm the status of all deliveries and plan accordingly for residual delays.