SUDAN

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

Cautions

Special Warning 121 (Issued 20 March 2003)

Information on Special Warning 121 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

Special Warning 115 (Issued 5 March 2001)

Information on Special Warning 115 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

General

Sudan, the largest country in Africa, is located in the NE part of Africa. It is bounded on the SE by Ethiopia and Eritrea, on the E by the Red Sea, on the N by Egypt, and on the NW by Libya. The country may be divided into two regions, as follows:

1.The region lying N of 16˚N is a continuation of the Sahara Desert

2.The region lying S of 16˚N is fertile, abundantly watered, and densely wooded in places

Sudan is traversed from S to N by the Nile River; the Nubian Desert extends between the valley of this river and the Red Sea. This desert consists of a rugged and barren wasteland scored with ravines where there is scanty vegetation.

The climate is tropical in the S part, with a rainy season of April to October, and arid desert in the N part.

Special Warning 108 (Issued 20 October 1998)

1.In January 1996, the Department of State warned all U.S. citizens against traveling to Sudan due to ongoing violence within the country. Citing the U.S. government’s suspension of its diplomatic presence in Sudan, the department advised that its ability to provide emergency consular services would be severely limited. In August 1998, the State Department again warned U.S. citizens against travel to Sudan “following the recent U.S. air strikes against terrorist facilities and possible threats to Americans and American interests in that country.” The latter warning (No. 98-041) remains in effect to date.

2.In November 1997, President Clinton issues Executive Order 13067 imposing a U.S. trade embargo against Sudan. Among the prohibited activities are “any transaction by a United States person relating to transportation of cargo to or from Sudan.” “United States person” is defined as any U.S.

citizen, permanent resident, entity organized under U.S. law, or person in the United States. The embargo is still in effect.

3. Notwithstanding the pre-existing travel warning and ongoing U.S. trade embargo, the recent U.S. missile attack on a chemical plant in Khartoum has raised concerns of possible retaliation against U.S. citizens and/or commercial interests. U.S. mariners are therefore urged to avoid Port Sudan or other Sudanese ports. U.S. vessels are also advised to remain well clear of Sudanese territorial waters in the western Red Sea area.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the dinar, although the former Sudanese pound remains legal tender.

Industries

Agriculture is the primary industry. The major crops are cotton, sorghum, sugar cane, peanuts, gum, millet, wheat, and sesame.

Other industries include minerals, sugar processing, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, hides and skins, and petroleum products.

Languages

Arabic is the official language. Nubian, Ta Bedawie, NiloHamitic, and English are used. Several diverse dialects of Nilotic and some Sudanic languages are also spoken.

Government

Flag of Sudan

Sudan is a sovereign independent republic. The country is divided into 26 states.

Sudan is governed by a directly-elected President serving a 5-year term. The unicameral National Assembly, currently suspended (2003), consists of 360 members; 270 members are directly elected, while 90 seats are filled by a assembly of interest groups known as the National Congress.

The rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Army maintains guerrilla activities in the S part of the country.

The legal system is based on Islamic law and English common law.

The capital is Khartoum.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (End of Pilgrimage), Hijrah (Islamic New Year), Ashoora, and the Prophet’s Birthday.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of Sudan are, as follows:

*Requires advance permission or notification for innocent passage of warships in the territorial sea.

**Also considered a Security Zone.

Search and Rescue

The Ministry of Transport is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations. Port Sudan Coast Radio Station maintains a continuous listening watch for distress calls on 2182 kHz and VHF channel 16.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is CHARLIE (-3). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at Shar'ia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum. Operations were suspended in 1996 and the staff relocated to the embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Cairo, Egypt, from where they make periodic visits to Khartoum.

The mailing addresses are, as follows:

1.Sudan address— P.O. Box 699 Khartoum

2.U.S. address— APO AE 09829

U.S. Embassy Egypt Home Page http://cairo.usembassy.gov

U.S. Embassy Kenya Home Page http://nairobi.usembassy.gov

General

Suriname, located in the N part of South America, is bounded on the E by French Guiana, on the W by Guyana, on the S by Brazil, and on the N by the Atlantic Ocean.

The majority of the population inhabits the flat and fertile coastal area, 210 miles long, where dikes permit agriculture. The country inland is hilly and covered with dense tropical forests.

The climate is equatorial with uniformly high temperatures and rainfall. There is no recognized dry season.

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region B) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the Suriname guilder, consisting of 100 cents.

Government

Flag of Suriname

Suriname is a constitutional democracy. The country is divided into ten districts.

Suriname is governed by a president elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term.The President appoints the Cabinet of ministers from members of the National Assembly. The unicameral National Assembly consists of 51 directly-elected members serving 5-year terms.

The legal system is based on Dutch civil law incorporating French penal theory.

The capital is Paramaribo.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (End of Pilgrimage), Hijrah (Islamic New Year), Ashoora, and the Prophet’s Birthday.

Industries

The major industries include crude oil production, bauxite mining, aluminum smelting, timber, food processing, fishing, palm oil processing, leather goods, and livestock raising.

The chief crops are rice, coconuts, bananas, citrus fruits, vegetables, and cassava.

Languages

Dutch is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Spanish, Hindi, Javanese, and Chinese are also used. Sranan, also known as Surinamese or Taki-Taki, is a native language spoken by the Creoles and many young people.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of Suriname are, as follows:

Regulations

Vessels in ballast must carry sufficient clean ballast to allow safe handling over the bars and up the rivers.

In all ports, vessels must maintain a sufficient state of readiness to get underway at full power at short notice.

Dangerous cargo must have the method of packing and stowage indicated on the manifest.

Search and Rescue

A Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) is located in Paramaribo. Paramaribo Coast Radio Station maintains a continuous listening watch for distress traffic on 2182 kHz and VHF channel 16.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is PAPA (+3). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

World Time Zone Chart http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ reference_maps/pdf/time_zones.pdf

U.S. Embassy

The U. S. Embassy is situated at Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo.

The mailing address is Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC 20521-3390.