Um Dafuq, December 16 (Darfur24)
Authorities in Birao, in the Central African Republic (CAR), have imposed new measures regulating transport and trade with the Um Dafuq area in South Darfur State, Sudan.
Mahmoud Al-Tahir, a commercial truck owner, told Darfur24 that the CAR authorities introduced new procedures and fees on transport trucks, amounting to 16,000 riyals (approximately 348,000 Sudanese pounds), in addition to a 5,000-riyal licensing fee to trade. Under the new measures, shipments must be officially cleared within Central African territory, with strict bans on smuggling.
Al-Tahir said a delegation from the Um Dafuq Chamber of Commerce traveled to Birao to negotiate with local authorities. The two sides agreed on paying the imposed fees and obtaining commercial licenses, paving the way for the resumption of cross-border trade between the two countries.
He added that discussions are still ongoing regarding regulations governing the coffee trade.
According to Al-Tahir, officials in Birao province informed traders that the customs crossing with Um Dafuq would be opened during the current season, with customs clearance to be carried out inside Central African territory.
As fighting continues across Sudan, trade between South Darfur and the Central African Republic has become increasingly vital, particularly after the war disrupted commercial links between Darfur and the capital, Khartoum.
The Darfur states rely heavily on cross-border trade through the Um Dafuq border area, exporting agricultural products, most notably gum arabic, while importing coffee, livestock products, and firewood, which supplies many Sudanese cities and is widely used in construction.