The closure of ports and highways in eastern Sudan in protest against the Eastern Sudan Track protocol in the Juba Peace Agreement entered its third week today. This evening, the deadline for the Sudanese government to decide on the cancellation of the protocol will expire.
It is not clear what will happen when the government does not comply. Yesterday, Sayed Tirik, head of the Hadendawa clan and chairman of the High Council of Beja Nazirs* and Independent Chieftains renewed his demand to cancel the Eastern Sudan Track in a speech in El Faw in El Gedaref. In addition, 50 per cent of the resources in eastern Sudan should be allocated for the benefit of Red Sea state, Kassala and El Gedaref.