The commissioner of Ameth-Aguok in the Abyei Administrative Area, Nyok Deng Rou, has said business has been flourishing for the last couple of months in the Amiet market due to the gains made by the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) against the US dollar.
The Amiet common market was established in 2016 to sustain peace between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes in the disputed area of Abyei.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Commissioner Nyok Deng said the Amiet market is mutually beneficial to both the South Sudanese and Sudanese business communities despite poor roads and bandits who sometimes loot traders on the way.
"Business is good as the dollar rate against the SSP is reduced. There are different types of goods coming from Sudan to Amiet Market and likewise, South Sudanese business people sell cattle to Sudanese who purchase them and drive them to Sudan,” Deng said. “SSP gained strength against the dollar, if you send 10,000 SSP to Sudan, one can receive 12, 000 Sudanese Pounds. Here, the 30 sorghum Malwas (a local measurement unit equivalent to 225kgs) costs 13,000 SSP compared to the past months when it cost 25,000 SSP."
Christina Achan Aguek, a resident of Abyei Administrative Area, said the prices of some goods have reduced but called on the government to regulate some prices as traders were still overcharging people.
"The price of a sack of dura (sorghum) is now 17, 000 SSP and it was very high at 20,000 SSP. Onions and greens have also been reduced. The same thing for a Jerrycan of cooking oil, the big one was at 60, 000 SSP and is now reduced to 40,000 SSP, but this is not enough,” Achan said. “The government should regulate prices for things like cooking charcoal and medicines in private pharmacies. Every drug is from 1000 SSP and above, including children's syrups of malaria drugs.”
Meanwhile, the Abyei town Mayor, Esadin Malek, said the prices depend on the foreign currency situation in both Sudan and South Sudan and that frequent fighting in the market and other crimes on the roads reduced leading to a flourishing business in Amiet and other markets.
"The price depends on dollars. When the dollar in Khartoum is low against the Sudanese Pounds, it affects prices in the Amiet market badly because no traders will accept to reduce his/her prices on goods. As of now, the dollar is stable and prices have also reduced. 50 kg of sugar was 24, 000 but now it is at 16,000 SSP," Mayor Malek said.
He added, "Goods are coming in. Within a day, more than 8 to 9 commercial trucks come from Mujlad, Khartoum, and al-Fula. In the Amiet market, although there are business activities, people easily create disorder by fighting and road bandits loot goods. The good part of it is that Ameth-Aguok County Commissioner has organized a joint committee which addresses some cases and the police in the market are doing their best to also to maintain stability."