South Darfur’s capital struggling with shortage in basic commodities

April 2, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Merchants in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, warned that a commercial raft comprised of 800 vehicles which has been stuck in the city of Ed Daein 150 kilometers to the east must urgently arrive in their city to prevent an imminent shortage in basic commodities.

Merchants who spoke to al-Sudani newspaper complained of rising prices in items such as flour and sugar as a result adding that the raft is stranded due to lack of security.

They disclosed that the price of flour bags increased from 160 to 240 Sudanese pound (SDG), while sugar bag price has increased from 280 to 310 SDG, noting that prices of luxury commodities have increased as well.

The black market has started to flourish, they said, particularly after the Department of Transportation and Oil restricted the daily supply of fuel to 500 gallons per gas station.

The Director of the Department of Transport and Oil in south Darfur, Abdullah Mohammed Abakaer, for his part, attributed the decision to the growing industrial and agricultural demand for fuel in face of limited supply.

Abakaer said that fuel used for electricity did not reach Nyala because the train which was carrying it has been attacked by an unidentified armed group last week.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.

Last Saturday, Sudanese paramilitary force attacked El-Geneina bus stop market in Nyala, on mid-day robbing merchants and bystanders, according to eyewitnesses.

Last week, a cargo train which was on its way from Nyala, capital of South Darfur state to the city of Daein in eastern Darfur has been attacked by unidentified armed robbers near Khor Taan area which is located 60 km east of Nyala.

An eyewitness told Sudan Tribune that the group seized the train’s fuel after firing shots on the engine, thus disabling and destroying large parts of it.

(ST)