Sudan police restore 2 million vehicle records in digital safety push
July 20, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s General Traffic Police Department on Monday unveiled a new plan focused on digital transformation, service development, and road safety, announcing the recovery of its database, which covers more than two million vehicles, after the war.
The war in Sudan caused unprecedented devastation to the vehicle sector, with estimates indicating thousands of cars were looted and destroyed, leaving many as burnt-out shells in Khartoum and several states.
The Traffic Department outlined its 2026 strategy, which centres on digital transition, expanding electronic services at home and abroad, and implementing smart tracking systems for vehicles and intercity buses.
The announcement came during the Interior Ministry’s fourth regular press forum, organized by the Public Relations and Media Directorate in cooperation with the Training Authority to discuss traffic police performance and strategic plans.
Major General Hatem Mahmoud Mansour, Director of the General Traffic Police Department, said the authority succeeded in restoring the complete vehicle database and creating backup data centres within the states and abroad, securing national records and citizens’ rights.
Mansour explained that the 2026 plan aims to build a smart traffic system by expanding the “Salem” application for electronic driver’s license renewals, which now operates across 16 countries via embassies and consulates, up from six, with plans to roll out the service nationwide.
He added that the plan includes expanding automatic tracking projects for intercity buses to monitor speeds and violations, in coordination with the transport union and insurance companies, as well as reopening traffic service centres in Khartoum state and establishing new locations in other states.
Reviewing technical data, Brigadier General Faisal Al-Rahaid, Director of the Technical Department, stated that total registered vehicles in Sudan reached 2,124,750, while active driver’s licenses totalled 3,161,599.
Al-Rahaid noted that since the outbreak of war, authorities registered 76,243 new vehicles, renewed 841,907 vehicle licenses, issued 193,738 new driver’s licenses, and renewed 341,364 existing ones.
Additionally, the electronic reporting platform received 68,312 reports of missing vehicles, resulting in the recovery of 9,058 vehicles, and 1,519 licenses were issued to citizens abroad through the “Salem” platform.
Traffic services are currently provided through 63 licensing centres, alongside nine new centres established after the war and three dedicated windows for vehicles from war-affected states.
Al-Rahaid also revealed the development of a new digital platform named “Ensab” to regulate vehicle ownership transfers using laser security technologies and requiring in-person attendance to prevent fraud.
Regarding personnel training, the General Affairs Directorate conducted 150 training courses benefiting 536 officers and 2,621 personnel, focusing on public interaction, professional behaviour, and road safety, and rehabilitated 31 stations and recovered 817 police vehicles.
Major General Ayoub Abdel Raheem, head of the Khartoum State Traffic Authority, said the department completed the digitization of administrative files, reopened eight licensing centres, established nine new divisions, repaired 27 traffic lights, installed 20 surveillance cameras, recovered 63 stolen vehicles, cleared destroyed cars from roads, and dismantled networks specializing in forged vehicle documents.