Khartoum governor bans goods transport across western border

December 20, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Khartoum Governor Ahmed Osman Hamza on Saturday banned the transport of goods across the state’s western border under a new emergency order.

The move aims to block food and medical supply lines to areas bordering North Kordofan, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) maintain a heavy presence. This includes the towns of Umm Qirfa and Jabrat al-Sheikh, as well as the strategic Omdurman-Bara export road leading toward the city of El Obeid.

The restrictions are expected to impact civilians in the northern parts of North Kordofan who depend on supplies from Khartoum.

“Governor Ahmed Osman Hamza issued Emergency Order No. 2 of 2025, prohibiting the transport of goods, commodities, and other items across the western borders of Khartoum State,” the state’s media office said in a statement.

Violators face a minimum of five years in prison and a fine of 12 million Sudanese pounds ($20,000). The order also mandates the confiscation of goods and vehicles used in the transport. Those unable to pay the fine face an additional six months in jail.

The decree follows a similar move on Nov. 25 by the governor of Northern State, who prohibited the transport of goods to RSF-controlled areas in the Kordofan and Darfur regions.