Citizens in South Sudan’s Aweil State have complained that prices of consumer goods are soaring.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, several citizens urged the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure food prices are reduced.
For instance, the price of a 100kg bag of sorghum increased from 7,500 SSP to 15,000 SSP, while a 50kg bag of sugar currently costs 17,000 SSP.
Angelina Alor Deng, a 35-year old-mother, said food prices in the market were now beyond control and appealed for intervention.
Meanwhile, Atak Longar said the current prices of food are “deplorable”.
“The prices will increase more in the run-up to the upcoming Christmas. The only solution is to pray so that prices are reduced,” she said.
Abraham Aluk, a local resident, said citizens currently live in poverty due to the lack of job opportunities. Aluk called on the state government to rescue the situation.
For their part, several traders attributed the rising prices to scarcity of the commodities they sell in the market.
Anguei Arou, a local trader, said they find it hard to obtain goods.
Lual Garang, another trader, urged citizens to also consider the problems they face while buying items. “Citizens complain that we are increasing prices. We calculate cost on imported items and add it to the price,” he said.
The Chamber of Commerce chairperson, Malong Deng Nyuany attributed rising food prices to heavy rains which washed away crops.
He vowed to authorize the organized forces and other security agents to monitor prices in the market.