Mahana Abdelrahman used to travel across Sudan in his truck ensuring deliveries reached their destination. He is now confronted with a decline in transportation due to three months of intense warfare.
Now, the 45-year-old driver spends his time chain-smoking and sipping coffee at a cafe situated on the outskirts of Wad Madani.
This city has provided refuge for him and numerous others who escaped the weariness of war in the capital, Khartoum, located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) to the north.
Abdelrahman, an experienced lorry driver for the past twenty years, specializing in transporting goods from Red Sea ports, shared with media that he has never encountered a war of such scale and intensity.
Since April 15, when a power struggle between rival generals escalated into a full-fledged war, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of millions.
“I used to drive across the country four times a month, now I’ve been here for three weeks and there’s nothing to carry anywhere,” Abdelrahman said.
Surrounding him, an endless array of parked lorries extended as far as the eye could see, while drivers passed the time by playing cards and enjoying tea at the quaint roadside cafes in Al-Jazirah state.
In Al-Jazirah, hundreds of thousands of Khartoum residents who have been displaced have sought refuge, yet they continue to confront severe scarcities of food, medicine, and other essential supplies, mirroring the situation experienced in various other regions of the country.
According to a report from Sudan’s national chamber of transport, road traffic throughout the country has plummeted by 90 percent since the start of fighting, attributed to air strikes, artillery attacks, and an abundance of checkpoints around Khartoum.
This significant reduction in road activity has been observed, as confirmed by the report obtained by media.
The decline in road traffic and transportation has had a profound impact on commercial activities, causing significant disruptions and challenges across various sectors.
Based on data provided by Sudan’s ports authority, the total value of exports from January onwards reached $282 million. This figure marks a substantial decrease compared to the $2.5 billion recorded during the first half of 2021.