Protests erupt in Sudan’s Atbara over soaring public transport fares

October 25, 2026 (ATBARA) – Angry protests broke out in Atbara, River Nile State, as citizens blocked roads and burned tyres to condemn a sharp rise in public transport fares between Atbara and Ed Damer.

Sudanese states face a severe deterioration in economic and living conditions, along with acute shortages of petroleum products, flour, and medicine.

The ongoing armed conflict has severely disrupted supply chains and energy sources, while the Sudanese pound continues its rapid depreciation.

Transport fares between Ed Damer and Atbara jumped to 7,000 Sudanese pounds per passenger, triggering widespread anger.

The fare hike coincided with severe paralysis in the transportation sector and the partial closure of depots and gas stations due to fuel shortages.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that protests erupted after heated arguments between citizens and drivers at a public transit station over the unannounced fare hike driven by the fuel crisis.

Meanwhile, soaring inflation has hit local markets in the city, which currently hosts thousands of displaced people, amid record-high rental prices.

Ahmed Ibrahim, displaced from Khartoum, told Sudan Tribune that some landlords now demand rent in U.S. dollars or the current local equivalent.

According to Ibrahim, the state is suffering from a series of service declines and poor administration.

Thousands of displaced people, particularly from Khartoum and Khartoum North (Bahri), have chosen not to return home because of severe service disruptions and operational obstacles in those cities.