Trader: White Nile state banks transfer all money to Port Sudan

Banks in White Nile state have allegedly emptied all the money in their possession and transferred it to Port Sudan, capital of Red Sea state, in the wake of circulating rumours of a possible attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). There is little commercial activity in Kosti and Rabak, the major towns of the state, as merchants transport their goods outside the markets.  

A trader in Kosti market told Radio Dabanga that commercial banks in the town emptied the money they had in their possession and transferred it to Port Sudan for fear of an attack on the town. No fighting has been reported in Rabak, capital of White Nile state, and Kosti however, the RSF has reportedly gained control of some northern villages of the state.

Many bank customers tried to withdraw their money, only to be told that it had already been transferred to Port Sudan for fear that the banks would be looted. “The banks fear that the money would be stolen, as happened in many states the RSF entered,” he said.

A cautious calm reportedly prevails in the state, although there is little and irregular buying and selling at the markets, indicating that people are not going outside for fear of an attack on Kosti, according to the trader.

On December 24, Radio Dabanga reported that White Nile state, neighbouring El Gezira which fell to the RSF on December 18, witnessed a mass exodus after rumours that the RSF might invade the state.  

Earlier that week, security authorities in White Nile state launched large-scale detention campaigns on ethnic grounds. Several human rights groups and political bodies have condemned the widespread detention campaigns by Military Intelligence and Islamist groups in Sudan.

“Although an invasion of White Nile State isn’t necessarily imminent, the army’s seeming inability to mount offensive operations means that defence is the default posture, and an attack could be only a matter of time,” reported Sudan War Monitor today.

SAF and junta leader Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan himself initially remained at the SAF headquarters in Khartoum following the outbreak of the war in April, but in August moved to Port Sudan, where ministries, embassies, UN agencies, and organisations are working from temporary offices in what has become a de facto ‘alternative capital’.