Sudan’s Beja Council Did Not End Roadblocks and Ports Shutdown in the East

The Misbar team investigated the claim and found it misleading. The Supreme Council of Beja Nazirs and Independent Chieftains, also known as the Beja Council, is a political body that represents the Beja tribes of eastern Sudan. Since September, the council has forced a blockade on all eastern roads and ports of Sudan. The council demanded, among other things, the cancellation of the Eastern Sudan Track, a peace protocol instituted in the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement. The ongoing military coup in Sudan did not alter the council's position, as it continued forcing a blockade on Port Sudan, the crucial hub for Sudan’s trade movement.  

Last Monday, Al-Arabiya's associate channel Al-Hadath reported that Beja tribes plan to end shutdowns that have curtailed the country's fuel supply. This move came allegedly to demonstrate the Beja council’s support for the military coup. Two days later, Al-Arabiya posted on its Facebook and Twitter accounts claiming that the Beja council had ended the shutdown on roads and ports of eastern Sudan.

However, the Beja council rejected Al-Arabiya allegations. Karrar Askar, Secretary of Youth in Beja Council, emphasized in a statement that the council is continuing the blockade until all its demands are met. The statement was republished on the Council’s Twitter page with a comment demonstrating its rejection of the circulating news.

Askar also addressed the council’s alleged support for the military coup by stating that they are not concerned with the power struggles taking place in Khartoum. Furthermore, the council announced the suspension of all exceptions granted to some vehicles and the implementation of a full blockade.