Bus drivers and vehicle owners at Sudan’s Argeen border crossing have launched an open-ended strike, suspending transport services to protest sharply increased government fees and taxes.
The strike has halted passenger movement, leaving travellers stranded after buses stopped operating at one of northern Sudan’s busiest land crossings with Egypt.
Drivers said official fees rose suddenly from about 300,000 Sudanese pounds to nearly 1.5 million pounds, describing the increase as financially crippling and unsustainable for operators.
They warned the new charges threaten their livelihoods, saying rising costs could force many transport workers to abandon cross-border services altogether.
The disruption quickly led to overcrowding at the crossing, with passengers facing lengthy delays as limited alternative transport struggled to meet demand.
Argeen is a key transit route between Sudan and Egypt, handling significant flows of travellers and goods along desert roads linking communities and markets.
Protesters called on authorities to intervene urgently and review the fee increases, urging officials to balance revenue collection with the survival of transport workers.
They noted that thousands depend on the crossing each year, particularly as economic hardship and instability drive greater reliance on land travel.
Sudan’s transport sector has come under growing pressure from rising fuel costs, higher operating expenses, and increasing administrative charges that directly affect ticket prices.
Recurring protests have raised concerns about prolonged disruption to regional mobility, underscoring how economic challenges continue to shape daily life along Sudan’s borders.
