URGENT: Sudan fuel crisis and anyway to avoid it?
 

Hi Guys,

A friend in is Ethiopia atm. Moving north on two Truimp tigers. And there is a major fuel shortage. So what he needs to know is. does anyone know how bad the crisis really is?

And if it is as bad as the media say: is there any way to ship, truck,train across /around/over Sudan into egypt?

Cheers
Xander

Don't know how bad it's got but has been like that for a while, afaik.
Recently read a magazine report by Steph Jeavons who was there a few months ago but as a foreigner (and/or a solo woman?) was able to get to the front of the queues of the few still open fuel stations – or just bought double-priced (but still cheap) on the black market.

I'm sure even this would be less aggro and cost than shipping around Sudan.

People in neighbouring Kassala are complaining about the continued scarcity of petrol and diesel, while fuel is available again in the rest of the country.

so fuel is flowing again, but not everywhere (yet).

source: Sudan: 'Sudanese No Longer Have the Means to Celebrate Eid El Fitir' - allAfrica.com

Word of caution for all contemplating a transit through Sudan. The fuel shortages have again turned from bad to worse, fuel is rationed and special permissions are necessary. Most gas stations are out of fuel, with long queues awaiting the delivery trucks.

It is not clear how this will affect foreign registered vehicles, the authorities are quite keen to please the few tourists bringing foreign currency, we did not have any problems getting fuel from the special government stations, but still there was a lot of waiting and paperwork invlved.

As the situation is very fluid, gather some up-to-date info before crossing the border.