Sudan says port blockade causing fuel oil, wheat shortages

Sudan’s cabinet minister said that the country is running short on wheat and fuel oil for power generation, due to a three-week blockade of Sudan’s main port by tribal protestors.

Shortages of imported flour led to queues for bread to reappear in recent days in Khartoum.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs Khalid Omer Yousif said in a statement the government would redistribute wheat stocks located in the country’s Northern State to bolster supplies elsewhere, Reuters reported.

Diesel supplies have also been affected by the blockade but petrol supplies remain stable, the statement added.

Sudan’s civilian leaders accused the military of playing a role in the Beja tribe blockade of the Port, but military officials have denied any involvement and Beja leaders say they are protesting to draw attention to economic and political issues the eastern tribe suffers from.