Ethio-Sudan border: Hottest contraband corridor

By Tamiru Geda

A report disclosed recently by the Ministry of Revenue, indicated that the governmental body, the National Coalition Group, that was organized to curb the import and export of unauthorized goods, was able to stop illegal trades in areas such as Artisheik, Gedamitu, and Meisso, which were once known officially as areas where illegal trade was the standard. The NCG is made up of various governmental institutions and concerned business groups such as the Ethiopian and Addis Ababa Chambers of Commerce.
However, in other areas of the country new contraband routes are emerging.
According to the report, the volume of illegal trade has actually increased recently, particularly in the border with neighboring Sudan. For instance Metema on the Sudanese boarder was found to be the center for exporting livestock, cigarettes, coffee, honeybees and cereals illegally. In return items such as detergents, soaps, butter, table salt, yeasts, and machineries like generators enter the country illegally in large volumes.
The report also indicates that illegal trades have been conducted through Humera, a town in Tigray, to Eritrea and the Sudan, and concludes that further campaign and effort should be exerted to fight these illegal traders.