By Tufan Aktas
KHARTOUM (AA) – Local authorities on Monday attributed Sudan’s ongoing fuel crisis — which has adversely affected the entire country since late last month — to inadequate maintenance of the country’s oil refineries.
According to witnesses, the lines now being seen outside gas stations in capital Khartoum exceed one kilometer in length.
Mohamad Abbas, 37, told Anadolu Agency that he had been waiting in line for over six hours to get fuel.
“The temperature is over 45 degrees; I have waited for hours and don't even know if I will get any gas. We are eagerly awaiting an end to this crisis, ” he said.
Ahmad Seifeddin, a public bus driver, said: “I tried last night, but failed to obtain any gasoline. I got in line again early this morning. My turn is coming up soon; hopefully, I’ll get some fuel within an hour. ”
Khaled Mustafa, a student, said he had to leave home an hour earlier than usual because of the shortage.
“The number of vehicles available for public transport has decreased due to the shortage, so I have to leave home earlier to make it to school on time, ” he lamented.
Sudan's Petroleum Ministry recently announced that its main refinery in Khartoum was now up and running again, going on to assert that the fuel crisis would “soon be over”.
