Police in Port Sudan arrested, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, union leader Othman Tahir at the Port Sudan seaport over his role in publishing a document revealing monthly financial allowances of $6,000 granted to the General Director of the Marine Ports Authority, Engineer Jilani Mohammed Jilani, with approval from the acting Minister of Transport. He was later released on bail following pressure from workers.
The leaked document sparked widespread outrage among port workers who have not received their salaries for several months, highlighting a huge disparity between the wages of regular employees and the allowances received by senior officials. The arrest triggered anger within the workforce, with unions warning of an open-ended strike if their demands are not met within 72 hours, including the release of their colleague.
The case followed a meeting between the head of the Marine Ports Authority and worker representatives during which management announced plans to outsource key operational activities such as loading and unloading to private companies — a move strongly rejected by unions as a step toward the privatization of marine ports. Othman Tahir had previously led successful opposition in 2019 against a project to privatize the southern port, and has been subjected to multiple arrests and attacks over the years due to his ongoing union activism.
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Othman Tahir, considering it a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression and a deliberate attempt to suppress his legitimate union work. The CFJ calls for adequate protection to be provided to him and for policies of harassment and security prosecution against him to be stopped immediately.
