El-Gedaref: A Vital Agricultural Hub Shaped by Migration
Located in eastern Sudan, El-Gedaref State is an agricultural powerhouse serves as a critical crossroads for migration, particularly during regional conflict. Known for its fertile land and diverse range of crops, El-Gedaref faces unique challenges and opportunities that intertwine agriculture with human migration, both internal and cross-border, in ways that are central to understanding the dynamics of this part of the world.
The Agricultural Landscape
El-Gedaref is home to over 8.9 million acres of farmland , where farmers employ both mechanized and rain-fed farming techniques to cultivate a variety of cash and food crops, including sesame, sorghum, millet, and cotton. According to the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources in El-Gedarf state, the agriculture sector collectively supports a local population of around 2.3 million people, in addition to more than 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and approximately 64,500 refugees who have fled ongoing conflicts.
Despite its agricultural wealth, the region faces a significant challenge: a labor shortage far exceeding the available workforce. Historically, Sudan has relied on seasonal labor migration, particularly from Ethiopia and South Sudan, to meet its agricultural labor needs. However, the landscape of labor migration has shifted in recent years, especially following South Sudan’s independence, which reduced the flow of workers from the south.
Ethiopian Seasonal Labor Migrants: A Vital Workforce
Ethiopian Seasonal Labor Migrants (SLMs) have increasingly filled the gap left by the declining number of South Sudanese laborers. Each year, approximately 80,000 individuals from the Amhara region cross the border into El-Gedaref in search of stable agricultural work. The primary border crossing at Galabat remains open, though others, such as Lukdi, have been closed due to security concerns related to Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict.
In 2014, an estimated 35,000 Ethiopian SLMs entered Sudan through formal channels, while over 70,000 crossed through informal routes. Moreover, farmers in El-Gedaref State used an average of 120 Sudanese and 215 Ethiopian laborers per season, underlining the vital role of Ethiopian migrants in agricultural processes. Despite these numbers, the total labor demand for the region is much higher—around 600,000 seasonal workers are needed annually, leaving a critical gap of approximately 400,000 workers. Ethiopian migrants are especially crucial for labor-intensive crops like cotton and sesame, with farmers relying on both Sudanese and Ethiopian laborers for tasks such as planting, harvesting, and land preparation.
Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers
While Ethiopian laborers are indispensable to El-Gedaref’s agricultural economy, they face numerous challenges. The lack of a formal legal framework for cross-border migration means many workers cross borders irregularly and work under informal agreements. This creates conditions where labor migrants are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and poor living conditions.
Moreover, many Ethiopian workers see their time in Sudan as a temporary stepping stone, with some aspiring to migrate further to Europe. However, most eventually return to Ethiopia, raising concerns about the sustainability of current labor migration patterns.
Improving Migration Management Frameworks
Sudan has made some attempts to manage the influx of Ethiopian SLMs through a system where farmers issue entry permits for seasonal laborers. While this system has facilitated migration flows in the past, it also has significant shortcomings—particularly the failure to ensure that workers return home after the harvest season and the substandard living conditions that many migrant workers endure.
To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for collaboration between local authorities, migration organizations, and farmers to establish more formalized frameworks that can protect migrant workers’ rights, reduce exploitation, and ensure fair treatment.
GIZ’s Role in Facilitating Bilateral Dialogue
The GIZ Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme played a crucial role in fostering bilateral dialogue between Sudan and Ethiopia on seasonal labor migration. In June 2018, GIZ facilitated a landmark cross-border workshop in Khartoum, marking the first official meeting between the two countries to address this pressing issue[1]. Building on this momentum, three additional workshops were organized in Gedaref (September 2018), Bahir Dar (January 2019), and Mekelle (March 2019), offering both nations a platform to deepen discussions and explore joint solutions to the challenges of seasonal labor migration.
However, despite GIZ’s proactive efforts to formalize a bilateral framework on seasonal labor migration, progress has been impeded by the ongoing political instability in Sudan. The subsequent conflicts have created a difficult environment for sustained diplomatic engagement and negotiations, hindering further advancements in the dialogue.
Migration Drivers: Conflict, Ethnic Tensions, and Economic Hardship
The migration patterns of Ethiopian SLMs are driven by a combination of factors, including ethnic tensions, economic hardship, and ongoing conflicts in both Ethiopia and Sudan. In particular, the Amhara and Tigray regions in Ethiopia have been affected by high levels of unemployment, land shortages, and internal conflicts, all of which contribute to the high number of people migrating in search of work.
The Impact of Conflict and Border Tensions
Migration flows between Sudan and Ethiopia have been significantly affected by a series of conflicts and rising tensions in both countries. The Tigray conflict, which began in 2020, was the initial catalyst, followed by escalating border tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. In 2023, the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) further complicated the situation. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, an armed conflict erupted in the Amhara region between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Amhara Fano.
These overlapping conflicts have resulted in the closure of key border crossings, including Lukdi, Hamdayet, and the frequently closed Metema-Gallabat crossing, severely disrupting established migration routes. As a result, the once-predictable seasonal migration patterns have been deeply disrupted, causing a sharp decline in the number of Ethiopian workers entering Sudan. The closure of these critical crossing points, combined with the growing insecurity on both sides of the border, has made it increasingly difficult for labor migrants to safely reach Sudanese farms, further exacerbating the labor shortages in Sudan’s agricultural sector.
In early 2024, El-Gedaref authorities suspended the issuance of work permits for Ethiopian SLMs, citing security concerns. This has led to significant labor shortages, particularly in cotton farming, with some farmers opting not to plant cotton altogether due to the lack of available workers.
A farmer from Gedaref town, who primarily grows rain-fed cotton, was interviewed by the author. He shared his experience, remarking,
“Last season’s cotton crop suffered significant losses due to a shortage of Ethiopian workers. As a result, many farmers have decided against planting cotton this season.”
Informal Migration Pathways: Risks and Exploitation
As formal border crossings have become less accessible due to frequent closures and heightened security concerns, many Ethiopian SLMs have begun to resort to informal migration routes. These routes, while allowing workers to reach Sudanese farms, expose them to considerable risks, including human trafficking, exploitation, and unsafe working conditions.
Based on an interview conducted with a farmer at the Gallabat crossing point, he shared his view how the conflicts in the two countries have complicated the movement of Ethiopian SLM. He explained,
“Despite the ongoing conflicts, Ethiopian migrants continue to risk their lives to reach Sudanese farms through dangerous routes.” The reliance on informal migration further complicates the management of labor flows, leaving migrant workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Shifting Migration Patterns and Emerging Security Risks
In response to the volatile security environment, many Ethiopian workers have shifted away from the traditional practice of returning to Ethiopia after the harvest season. Instead, a growing number are opting to remain in Sudan to avoid the risks associated with border closures and road blockages. While this change provides some financial stability, it also comes with new challenges, including limited access to basic services and a heightened vulnerability to exploitation.
During a field visit to a large farm in Basunda Locality , an Ethiopian worker from a village near Bahir Dar in Ethiopia shared how he has adapted to the situation. He said,
“Due to the closed roads and border crossings, I can’t return to Ethiopia. I’ll stay in Sudan instead of risking the journey home.”
Sudan’s Internal Conflict and Its Impact on Migration
The management of Ethiopian Seasonal Labor Migrants (SLMs) in Sudan has long been shaped by events in Ethiopia, including ethnic tensions and security incidents such as the kidnapping of Sudanese farmers, herders, and traders by Ethiopian militias along the shared border. These incidents have occasionally led to border closures by Sudanese authorities in response to security concerns. However, the recent border closures have a different cause: the escalating conflict in Sudan itself.
The ongoing conflict in Khartoum has significantly disrupted the management of Ethiopian SLMs. As political and administrative priorities have shifted toward Port Sudan, this has further stretched Sudan’s already limited capacity to effectively regulate labor migration. With national attention diverted, Sudanese authorities have struggled to maintain clear migration policies, making it increasingly difficult to manage the movement of Ethiopian seasonal laborers. These disruptions have not only complicated the flow of migrant workers but have also increased uncertainty for farmers in El-Gedaref, who depend on this crucial workforce for the region’s agricultural production.
Moving Forward: A Two-Pronged Approach to Migration and Labor Management
To address the growing challenges posed by the influx of Ethiopian SLMs and ensure sustainable agricultural production in El-Gedaref, a comprehensive approach is needed:
1. Short-Term Legal Framework Enhancement: In the immediate term, Sudan must strengthen and formalize the legal framework governing seasonal labor migration. This could involve creating clearer policies for border crossing, issuing work permits, and ensuring better monitoring and protection of Ethiopian SLMs. Coordination between immigration authorities and local farmers is essential to better manage migration flows.
2. Long-Term Bilateral Labor Exchange Agreement: In the long term, Sudan and Ethiopia should consider negotiating a bilateral labor exchange agreement. Such an agreement would provide a framework for regulating labor migration, improving the rights and protections of Ethiopian workers, and fostering greater cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, a soft border mechanism allowing for free movement between Sudan and Ethiopia could reduce the reliance on dangerous informal routes.
Conclusion
El-Gedaref’s agricultural landscape is a microcosm of the complex relationship between agriculture and migration in the Horn of Africa. As the region grapples with ongoing conflict and economic challenges, the role of Ethiopian seasonal labor migrants becomes increasingly significant. By improving migration management, addressing migrant workers’ vulnerabilities, and fostering cooperation between Sudan and Ethiopia, there is an opportunity to enhance the agricultural sector, promote regional stability, and secure a better future for all involved.
In a world where agricultural production and human migration are ever more interconnected, El-Gedaref serves as a powerful reminder of both the challenges and opportunities that arise from these dynamics.
[1] Sudan and Ethiopia met for the first time to discuss improvements to seasonal labour migration – European Union
