Port Sudan workers have opposed the contract and hundreds of them went on strike in February 2019 at a time when nationwide demonstrations have rocked Bashir's three decades-long rule (AFP Photo/ASHRAF SHAZLY)
Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Friday said that a deal to transfer the container terminal at Port Sudan to a Philippines company is under review after workers held a strike against the contract.
Hundreds of workers at Port Sudan, a vital economic hub of the east African country, went on strike for days last month to oppose Khartoum's decision to transfer control of the terminal to the foreign firm International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI).
"We have already ordered a review of the contract with the Philippines company to ensure that it is a fair contact for Sudanese people," Bashir told a gathering of people from east Sudan at his residence in Khartoum.
The presidency's media office also confirmed that Bashir had ordered a review of the contract.
In July 2018, ICTSI informed the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission that it had won a bid to operate and manage the terminal under a 20-year concession.
The company said on its website that the tender process had been led by Sudan's state-run Sea Ports Corporation (SPC) and had attracted bids from several international operators.
SPC builds, maintains and governs Sudan's ports, harbours and lighthouses.
Port Sudan workers have opposed the contract and hundreds of them went on strike last month at a time when nationwide demonstrations have rocked Bashir's rule stretching back three decades.
Protesters have taken to the streets, accusing his administration of mismanaging the country's economy.
Sudan's economic woes have long caused popular frustration, but anger spilled on to the streets in December after the government tripled the price of bread.
Soaring inflation along with acute foreign currency shortages have severely impacted Sudan's economy, especially after South Sudan won independence in 2011, taking with it the bulk of oil earnings.
Officials say 31 people have died in protest related violence so far, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at at least 51.
Bashir has imposed a slew of tough measures, including a year-long state of emergency across the country, to quell the protests after the initial crackdown failed to suppress the movement.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan peace implementation is not only matter of money: says U.S. - 10/03/2019 17:00
- Clean energy for Africa by Africans makes appearance in South Sudan - 09/03/2019 21:00
- Peace Deal Holds in South Sudan - 09/03/2019 08:52
- Support South Sudan peace deal because there is no plan B: UNMISS head - 08/03/2019 20:52
- South Sudanese Officials Call for End to Sexual Violence - 08/03/2019 14:30
Older news items
- UN envoy: Violence possible if South Sudan peace falters - 08/03/2019 12:20
- UN envoy sees prospects for South Sudan peace deal - 08/03/2019 10:09
- South Sudan military court sentences soldiers to death for killing civilians - 08/03/2019 10:05
- South Sudan's New Government Likely Won't Be Formed by Deadline - 08/03/2019 01:07
- Opinion: There is no res nullius land to be seized in South Sudan - 07/03/2019 22:22
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan lawyers petition against extension of transitional period - 26/09/2024 12:37
- South Sudan military blames rebel group for deadly bus attack - 26/09/2024 12:33
- South Sudan medics trial AI app to identify snakes and improve bite treatment - 26/09/2024 12:31
- South Sudan: extension of transitional government will compound dire human rights crisis - UN experts - 26/09/2024 12:26
- Aiding Flood Victims in South Sudan, Faith Leaders Work on Long-Term Solutions - 26/09/2024 12:21
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan's Jan crude exports drop, Petronas among producers in Sudan - 08/01/2014 23:41
- UN to repatriate over 1,000 Shilluk and Dinkas from Ethiopia - 14/04/2007 16:34
- Drier conditions predicted for Horn of Africa sub-region - 27/08/2021 02:58
- It Is Not in the Interest of South Sudan or its People to Support Rebellion in ... - Sudan Vision - 18/05/2012 23:20
- Thousands protest deadly tribal clashes in Sudan’s south - 24/10/2022 03:07
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 49981 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22113 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21204 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18522 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 16553 times