RSF Militia Revives “Boko” Car Trade Between Libya and Sudan

RSF Militia Revives “Boko” Car Trade Between Libya and Sudan

Eyewitnesses and multiple sources reported on Sunday the resumption of the locally known “Boko” car trade between Libya and Sudan, after a suspension that lasted more than three years.

Car traders and brokers told Darfur24 that the activity restarted following the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia’s takeover of the border triangle between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt in June, and its consolidation of control over North Darfur State in October.

Youssef Sadig Ali, a car broker based in Libya, said the renewed activity has created jobs for dozens of people involved in buying, selling, and transporting vehicles from Libyan cities to the Sudanese border, where they are handed over to other parties.

He noted that most vehicles are purchased in Benghazi and Misrata, both of which host ports through which cars imported from South Korea, Japan, and other countries enter at relatively low prices.

He added that the majority of buyers prefer models such as Visto, Atos, Avante, and Morning, with prices fluctuating depending on the dollar rate in Libya and the exchange rate between the Sudanese pound and the Libyan dinar.

According to him, Kordofan, parts of East Darfur, and the city of Nyala have received more than 500 vehicles over the past four months, with sales taking place in the Gubeish market, which has become one of the largest current trading hubs.

He explained that the cost of a vehicle from Libya is around 7 million Sudanese pounds, with an additional 7 million paid at militia-controlled checkpoints, passing through more than 12 points before reaching Kordofan.

He further stated that Libyan drivers deliver the vehicles to the Sudanese border at the triangle area, where they are handed over to Sudanese drivers.