Ethio-Djibouti Railway Resume Operation After Two Days Hiatus

Apr 3 , 2023

Traders were apprehensive last week as the Ethio-Djibouti railway stopped operation for two days due to security concerns and railway line maintenance issues. Jeylan Abdi, head of federal police communications, said the conflict that arose between a couple of groups resulted in the disruption. The 756-kilometre-long electrified standard meter gauge railway is used as a passage for import-export items. According to Abdi Zenebe (PhD), chief executive officer of the Ethio-Djibouti gauge railway, the transportation was resumed after "a brief disruption." An exporter who wishes to remain anonymous said the disruption has affected the delivery process for the buyers. She says that freight road transportation cargo is more costly, time taking and prone to risk than the railway. The exporter said there is a 20,000 Br difference while products are delayed for about a week to reach buyers. Experts from logistics and supply chain management believe that the country's import-export has been supported by railway transport with minor disruptions having an effect on its performance, suggesting training professionals to handle maintenance problems locally instead of depending on foreign nationals.