Sudan’s Ministry of Transport is reported to be considering privatising its seaports, something which has been roundly condemned in the country’s Red Sea state.
A committee has been established within the Ministry, with Port Sudan, the largest facility, to be offered to the private sector.
The General Union of Port Workers in Port Sudan has rejected the proposal and has relayed this message to the Transport Minister.
Local activists have warned that this will result in 40,000 workers and staff being displaced. Instead, they have called for loss-making facilities in the country to be privatised, not profitable ones such as Port Sudan.
The Beja Congress party is now linked to a symposium to discuss the issue, although had formerly been opposed to any such measure in the past, since ports are a net generator of income for the state.
The government has already dedicated some areas in ports for use by private companies.
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