Trucks prevented from travelling to East and South Darfur

Security forces and local authorities have stopped all trucks and cargo carriers in El-Obeid, North Kordofan on Thursday November 15 and reportedly prevents them from travelling to South Kordofan and East Darfur states, sources told Radio Dabanga. The vehicles, loaded with goods, are being held by local (anti-smuggling) authorities, on accusation of trying to smuggle goods into South Sudan. According to local sources, most of the trucks were on the way to Babanusa or Mujlad in South Kordofan, Nyala in South Darfur and El-Daein in East Darfur. One of the drivers recounted that some of their loads include fruits and vegetables, which have already been damaged due to the long stop. The driver told Radio Dabanga that the security services and authorities claimed they received orders from Khartoum to halt the trucks, adding that they refused to give them any additional information on the accusations against them. They requested the governor of North Kordofan, as head of the security committee, to intervene and allow them to move, the drivers added to Radio Dabanga.