Sudan: Fuel shortages in Khartoum

Event

Fuel distribution operations remain disrupted in the capital Khartoum as of Thursday, April 5. The disruptions have resulted in fuel shortages over the past week, which will likely continue in the short-term. Gas stations across the capital have been running out of fuel and some public buses have stopped operating. Further transportation disruptions, as well as related protests, are likely.

However, officials have reportedly denied that there has been any decease in supplies, insisting that distributors have been receiving normal deliveries; this has been disputed by service station managers.

Context

Fuel shortages also hit Khartoum in 2016.

The current shortages come as the economy continues to suffer from surging inflation, which reached 53 percent in January. The government has begun to implement a number of broad-based economic reforms in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an attempt to promote economic growth. Various protests have erupted in Sudanese cities since early January due to price hikes, notably in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to fill up vehicle tanks whenever gasoline is available, to ensure sufficient fuel reserves before all long journeys, and to postpone nonessential travel until the situation stabilizes. It is also advisable to be vigilant at filling stations, where confrontations between drivers are possible.

On a more general note, many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state.