Sudan Road Assessment Additional Information
Road Secutiry
DARFUR STATES
Ex El Nahud to:
 El Fasher: Commercial Transporters and UN convoy escorted by Police; delays up to 14 days. If no
delay: transit 1-2 days. Escorts are compulsory and trucks are being stopped at check points.
 El Daen: Commercial Transporters and UN convoy escorted by Police; delays up to 10 days. If no
delay: transit 1-2 days. Escorts on this route are more often, because the fuel supply convoys for
Nyala - El Daen are more regular.
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Ex Nyala to:
Gereida: Since mid-February 2013, UNAMID escorts are now mandatory between Nyala and
Gereida also for WFP Fleet. Transit: 1 day.
El Geneina: UNAMID provide escort (also for WFP Fleet) up to Zalingei on regular standing convoy
every Tuesday and trucks can proceed without escort to Geneina or to Mukjar. Transit time ex Nyala
to Zalingei/Mukjar: 2 days; and to Geneina: 3-4 days.
EL-Daein: UNAMID escort required. Sometimes the delay might occur over-night in Labado and as
well in Mahajria. Transit time: 2 days.
Fasher: Commercial Transporters escorted by GoS; UN convoy escorted by UNAMID. Transit time:
1-2 days.
Kass: Since mid-February 2013, UNAMID escorts are now mandatory between Nyala and Geireida,
also for WFP Fleet.
Ex El Geneina to:
Mukjar: No escort required.
Habila: No UNAMID escort for WFP Fleet. If no delay: transit: 1 day.
Kabkabiya: No convoy route yet cleared with UNAMID escort for WFP Fleet. If no delay: transit 1
day.
 Kulbus: no Commercial Transporters permitted; no escort for WFP Fleet required, only NISS/GOS
clearances to be obtained 24 hours before movement.
 -> Movement in all West Darfur and Central Darfur locations are being done without UNAMID escort,
only with approved NISS & HAC Clearances.
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Kabkabiya – Tawlia: UNAMID escort; delays up to 11 days. If no delay: transit 1 day.
Tawlia – El Fasher: UNAMID escort; delays up to 5 days. If no delay: transit 0.5 day.
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Ex El Fasher to:
Mellit: UNAMID escort not always required.
Kutum: UNAMID escort required.
Nyala: Commercial Transporters escorted by GoS, UN convoy escorted by UNAMID. Movement
through 3 sectors (Fasher - Shangly Tobiyah - Nyala). Transit time: 1-2 days.

SOUTH KORDOFAN
Commercial transporters and WFP fleet require NISS/GoS/MI clearance to enter and move within
the state.

GoS escorts are mandatory for WFP light vehicles from El Obeid to Kadugli and vice versa. Although
sporadically WFP fleet has been escorted to the eastern corridor due to unforeseeable security
circumstances.
BLUE NILE

GoS security escorts for UN convoys are required to the following locations: Geissan town, Yara,
Doya, Gambarda, Keli, and Kurmuk town. Commercial transporters are not always willing to serve
these locations.

There is no access to Chali and Wadega, both in Kurmuk locality, SPLM-area.
Bridges
There are not many bridges or viaducts in Sudan. The exception being the bridges that cross the Nile
into Khartoum at:
Khartoum to Khartoum North
 Mac Nimir Bridge

Blue Nile Road and Rail Bridge

Elmansheya Bridge
 Sobia Bridge
White Nile to connect with Khartoum and Omdurman
 White Nile Bridge
 Fitayhab Bridge
Omdurman to Khartoum North
 Shambat Bridge
 Hafia Bridge
Khartoum States to Tuti.
 Khartoum and Tuti Bridge
Culverts and causeways that span the wadis and rivers may be flooded and become impassable
during the rains, for example the cause way that leads to the El Geneina airport in Western Darfur.
Transport Corridors
Please see below (next chapter).
International Corridors Leading to the Country
The significant international corridor for transit traffic is through the gateway seaport of Port Sudan, a
multi-faceted port that is able to receive and dispatch traffic by road, rail, linking to barges and
combinations there of

Port Sudan to Chad.

Port Sudan to Ethiopia.

Port Sudan to the Republic of South Sudan, through combinations of Rail, Road and River
barges.
There are no ‘cost’ or ‘time’ effective corridors at this juncture into Sudan from the neighbouring
countries.
Main Corridors within the Country (leading to main towns / hubs)
Please see below (next chapter):
Road Corridor Assessment
DARFUR STATES: the main supply routes linking El Obeid - El Fasher and El Obeid - Nyala via El
Nahud in North Kordofan remain open for all traffic with mandatory security escorts starting at El
Nahud.
Southern /Eastern Corridor: The movement of armed groups from the South increased, which might
cause again delays for convoys ex El Daen and ex El Nahud, due to the lack of available security
escorts.
Northern Corridor: the route El Fasher - Kutum - Kabkabiya - Saraf Umra - Geneina requires
security clearance and armed escorts provided by UNAMID or GoS. Tribal conflict in a few northern
localities (Kebkebyia, Saraf Umra, El Sireaf) increased end February 2013. UNAMID established a
Temporary Operations Base (TOB) in El Sireaf in order to secure humanitarian operations in the area.
Commercial Transporters without the ability to use the Northern corridor are moving via Nyala - El
Geneina, for which escorts remain mandatory, both for loaded and empty trucks. Insecurity in this
area is well known and only some transporters are able to cross this route.
NORTH KORDOFAN STATE: El Obeid remains the main hub for humanitarian logistics.
SOUTH KORDOFAN STATE: Restriction of movement to and into South Kordofan State remains.
The road El Obeid - Kadugli is tarmac and physically accessible for all traffic, but subject to
clearances from concerned Government Authorities. IDP locations in Southern Kordofan are being
served from El Obeid directly. During the dry season the roads to many IDP locations are accessible
for all types of traffic. However, landmines and UXOs have posed some threat in some locations with
mine incidents reported.
Another corridor is El Obeid - Abu Jebeeha - Kalogi - Talodi. During the rainy season the roads are
passable for short dry periods and only for tractors and high clearance -6x6 trucks equipped with
offroad-mud tires, which are currently only possessed by the WFP truck fleet. This route is often not
accessible for commercial transporters. Of importance is also that this corridor is affected by armed
clashes in various localities.
BLUE NILE STATE STATE: No access difficulties are reported for Khartoum – Kosti – Damazin,
but subject to the usual clearances. A logistics assessment mission was undertaken by WFP in May
2013, to look at storage augmentation and to monitor prepositioning and advanced distribution before
the rainy season. The corridor Damazin – Kurmuk requires security escorts for UN convoys.
Commercial Transporters are not always willing to serve locations along this route.
Last update: May 2013
Main domestic road corridors
General Informations
Total distance
Total travel time
Road
classification
Security
Main towns/hubs
30,000 km
Dependant on road, traffic flows, security, etc
All types
Marginal, frequent checks with Agency's Security Focal Points.
Port Sudan, Khartoum, El Obeid, Kosti, El Geneina, El Fasher, Nyala,
Kadugli and Damazin.
Road functional class Tertiary
Comments

Highway/Primary (asphalt): 7,000km
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Secondary (gravel): 4,300km

Tertiary/Trail (gravel and dirt): 20,000km

Local/Urban: 1,000km
Comments

Paved (asphalt or concrete): 7,000km

Gravel or murram: 4,300km
 Dirt or sand: 20,000km
The surface condition of paved roads is consistent, corrugation/ruts on gradients, intersections and
turn offs to laybys caused by heavily laden freighters. Potholes and wash a ways on the primary roads
are evident in areas in close proximity to rivers.
Road condition
Comments

Compacted smooth (>40kph): 4,300km
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Compacted rough (<40kph): -
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Uncompacted smooth (>40kph): -

Uncompacted rough (<40kph): 20,000km
 Mud: seasonal
Seasonal variations for transport: 25mt load for the dry season on primary and paved roads, 20mt
load for unpaved, tracks and off road. During the rainy season however, only 12mt load of trucks
feasible.
Passable by what traffic: dry season
Passable by what traffic: rainy season
Comments
All types of vehicles are able to move on the roads, the norm is that vehicles with a payload of 70 mt
transport from Port Sudan through to El Obeid and Khartoum, then transship to 30 mt trucks for
distribution to the hubs, and to small road vehicles (includes utilities) for distribution to deep field
locations.The tracks are in the desert, thus vehicles may get stuck in sand or wadis during the wet.
Roads are passable for all vehicle types (dry season):

Heavy trucks (15 – 23 mt) (6x6 or 6x4) with trailer
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Heavy trucks (15 – 23 mt) (6x6 or 6x4) without trailer
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Light trucks (8 – 12 mt) (6x6) with trailer
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Light trucks (8 – 12 mt) (6x6) without trailer
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Light trucks (3 – 8 mt) (4x4)
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Tractors (< 40 mt)
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Light vehicles passengers

Light vehicles pick-up

Motorbike

Non-motorised traffic
Seasonal variations for transport: 25mt load for the dry season on primary and paved roads, 20mt
load for unpaved, tracks and off road. During the rainy season however, only 12mt load of trucks
feasible.
Obstacles and bridges
Comments
Mines/UXOs
Road blocks
Check point - official
Check point - unoffcial
Debris/wreckage
Downed electrical lines
Avalanche, snow, ice
Landslide/Mudslide
Floods
Wet crossing
Road damage
Bridges
Traffic restriction
Other
Under review and reporting by UNMAS, UNAMID and
UNISFA.
Gateways to major cities, town and main road junctions
Gateways to major cities, town and main road junctions
They are set and removed without notice.
Nil permanent debris/wreckage that impede movement
Nil, and lines in the rural areas are generally away from roads
Nil
Occur during the rainy season (May-October)
Occur during the rainy season (May-October). Flooded wadis
cause the movement on secondary and tertiary roads to become
impassable for periods of time.
Causeways and culverts may be submerged during the rains;
rivers and wadis may encroach over the low bridges, culverts
and roads.
Sections of roads may be eroded during the rains, and on the
main arterial roads, potholes are evident, on gradients and
intersections, and the roads tend to 'corrugate' due to the traction
of heavily laden commercial carriers.
Commercial vehicles have restricted times that they are
permitted to cross the bridges into Khartoum, this is to reduce
traffic congestion.
Commercial vehicles have restricted times that they are
permitted to cross the bridges into Khartoum, this is to reduce
traffic congestion.
All road movement are subject to security clearance from
internal UN procedures and HAC, NIS and MI (see paragraph
about Road Security).
Towns and hubs
El Obeid
Overview
El Obeid is the primary transhipment hub in the country, for onward transport to Darfur, as well as to
South Kordofan (and Abyei).
Contacts
El Obeid
Title: WFP Head of Sub-Office
Name: Lemma Bayissa
Address: WFP El Obeid
Tel: +249 912 179 394
Email: lemma.bayissa@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location El Obeid
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
There is a good asphalt runway capable of receiving C130s. Sudan Railway has a marshalling yard in
the town centre.
Port Sudan
Overview
Port Sudan is an important entry point into the country.
Contacts
Port Sudan
Title: WFP Sudan Head of Logistics
Name: Anthony Freeman
Address: WFP Khartoum
Tel: +249 912 167 969
Email: anthony.freeman@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
A seaport that is able to receive and dispatch all types of cargo by rail and road; a gateway for transit
cargo consigned to Ethiopia, Chad and South Sudan; has an international airport.
Khartoum
Overview
The country's capital has an international airport is a main entry point.
Contacts
Khartoum
Title: WFP Sudan Head of Logistics
Name: Anthony Freeman
Address: WFP Khartoum Head Office
Tel: +249 912 167 969
Email: anthony.freeman@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location Khartoum
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
El Fasher
Overview
El Fasher is the state capital of North Darfur, and located on the main route from El Obeid; an ideal
transit point for destinations within the Northern sectors of Darfur.
Contacts
El Fasher
Title: Logistics Officer
Name: Habtamu Biru
Address: WFP Area Office
Tel: +249 912 167 922
Email: habtamu.biru@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location El Fasher
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
El Fasher has an asphalt runway able to receive C130s and similar type of aircraft.
El Geneina
Overview
El Geneina is the state capital of West Darfur, and transit point for traffic consigned through to Chad.
Contacts
El Geneina
Title: Logistics Officer
Name: Kebede Seifu
Address: WFP Area Office
Tel: +249 192 160 301
Email: kebede.seifu@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
Nyala
Overview
Nyala is the state capital of South Darfur and the main distribution hub in the area as well as deeper
field locations in the state. Relative short-haul distances to locations within 100km radius of Nyala city
centre.
Contacts
Nyala
Title: Logistics Officer
Name: Armand Ndimurukundo
Address: WFP Area Office
Tel: +249 912 178 822
Email: armand.ndimurukundo@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location Nyala
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Other comments
Future plans for the construction of a 100,000 litre fuel tank farm to be positioned within the 'OTASH'
warehouse & workshop compound.
An asphalt surface runway that is able to receive C130s and similar aircraft.
Kosti
Overview
Kosti is a River Nile gateway to the South Sudan.
Contacts
Kosti
Title: WFP Sudan Head of Logistics
Name: Anthony Freeman
Address: WFP Khartoum
Tel: +249 912 167 969
Email: anthony.freeman@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location Kosti
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Waterway, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation
Other comments
Kadugli
Overview
Kadugli is state capital of South Kordofan, situated about 320km south from El Obeid.
Contacts
Kadugli
Title: Head of Sub-Office El Obeid
Name: Lemma Bayissa
Address: WFP Sub-Office El Obeid
Tel: +249 912 179 394
Email: lemma.bayissa@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location Kadugli
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.
Damazin
Overview
Damazin is the state capital of Blue Nile. For over 18 months, the Government of Sudan denied
humanitarian organisations access to this state, until April 2013, when the security situation allowed to
re-launch humanitarian interventions in this state.
Damazin
Title: WFP Sudan Head of Logistics
Name: Anthony Freeman
Address: WFP Khartoum
Tel: +249 912 167969
Email: anthony.freeman@wfp.org
Website: http://www.wfp.org
Location Damazin
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Please see Storage Assessment chapter for a breakdown of storage capacity by organisation.