Egypt stops trucks crossing into Sudan indefinitely

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In a development that reflects the escalation of developments on the common border, the Egyptian authorities announced an indefinite halt to the transit of commercial trucks heading to Sudan through the Qastal land port.

Informed sources reported that all trucks heading to the Qastal land port were obliged to be present in the city council garage until the situation stabilized, while preventing these trucks from crossing via ferries until new instructions and orders were issued.

On the other hand, the decision excluded buses, coaches, private cars, microbuses, and passengers, as they are allowed freedom of movement and transit.

The sources explained that these decisions issued by the Qastal Land Port Administration, affiliated with the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports at the Egyptian Ministry of Transport, came after close follow-up of the current events on the Sudanese side, specifically in the Northern State, and their direct impact on the trade exchange movement between the Qastal Land Port and the Sudanese Port of Ashkit.

On the other side of the border, Sudanese sources confirmed that widespread protests continued for the second week in a row in the city of Wadi Halfa, which was accompanied by a complete closure of the Ashkit and Arqin border crossings with Egypt, which led to a complete halt to shipping movement and customs clearance.

These protests come in opposition to the recent Sudanese decisions that include a ban on personal imports and a ban on the entry of vegetables, fruits and food commodities, in addition to the significant increase in customs duties.