Sudanese Expatriates Appeal to the Sovereign Council Chairman to Lift Ban on Importing Their Vehicles

Sudanhorizon – Hala Hamza

A number of Sudanese expatriates have called on the Chairman of the Sovereign Council to revoke Cabinet Decision No. 285, which regulates the importation of vehicles by Sudanese expatriates. They are requesting the removal of restrictions on specific vehicle models—much like the recent decision by the Chairman of the Sovereign Council to lift the ban on the importation of various goods.
Speaking Sudanhorizon the expatriates noted that the continued ban on vehicles—purchased before the decision was issued—harms their interests and results in significant financial losses.
Mohamed Ali Mustafa, a Sudanese expatriate residing in Saudi Arabia, urged the Chairman of the Sovereign Council to expedite the cancellation of Decision No. 285 and implement the necessary measures to resolve the issue.
In his remarks Mustafa stated that Sudanese expatriates provide substantial support to the country. He argued that they should be granted privileges and incentives to encourage further contributions, rather than being pressured and denied the basic right to import the vehicles of their choice.
For his part, expatriate Abu Ubaida Abdul Rahman said that “the persistence of this decision deprives us of the incentives, benefits, and legitimate rights that the government itself had previously established. The government has since backtracked by restricting the importation of specific vehicle models—even after we had already completed the necessary procedures for the vehicles we intended to bring in.” Abu Ubaida elaborated, stating that expatriates are entitled to fair treatment; they should not be stripped of the incentives originally granted to encourage them to invest in the country—an investment the nation desperately needs for reconstruction and recovery from the ravages of war.
In an interview expatriate Al-Naeem Muhammad Ahmed acknowledged the state’s right to regulate imports and establish necessary controls to manage foreign currency reserves. However, he argued that such measures should not come at the expense of the rights and hard-earned gains of expatriates—individuals who strive to provide a decent life for their families while fulfilling their obligations toward their home country and contributing to its economic advancement. He called for a reconsideration of Resolution 258, urging that expatriates be permitted to import all vehicle models without restriction.

Previously, the Sudanese Customs Authority indicated that the implementation of Resolution 258—on vehicle imports—was underway. The authority emphasized that its role is limited to enforcing existing laws and regulations, and verifying that all required documentation is in order.
Furthermore, the authority noted that shipping companies had been previously instructed to ensure that vehicles have obtained the necessary exemptions and that all import/ unloading documentation is complete prior to shipment. It warned that any violation of these directives would lead to legal accountability in accordance with applicable regulations.
The Customs Authority expressed understanding for the circumstances faced by expatriates and their patriotic sacrifices, affirming that its procedures are not intended to harm any specific group, but rather to ensure the consistent application of the law to everyone.

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