Residents of Zalingei town in Sudan’s Central Darfur State have raised the alarm over the soaring prices of essential commodities, particularly sugar in their area.
The price of a 50-kilo bag of sugar has risen to 105,000 Sudanese pounds, while a 10-kilo bag of the same commodity trades at 21,000 Sudanese pounds.
This marks an unprecedented hike in one of the most essential consumer goods since the outbreak of the war in Sudan on April 15 last year.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in Zalingei, a local trader, Mubarak Saeed, attributed the sharp rise in prices to the recent insecurity situation in neighboring Chad.
Chad has become the primary alternative for importing goods and food items for the Darfur states since the outbreak of the war, which halted trade movement between Darfur and the capital, Khartoum.
Mubarak described how the security tensions in Chad had affected the exchange rate of the Chadian currency against the Sudanese pound.
He said the Sudanese Pound has also been rapidly depreciating lately, in addition to the increase in customs duties and transportation fees, all of which ultimately lead to a rise in prices, including sugar, in the markets of Central Darfur.
Another resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the cost of living has become significantly high because all goods at Zalingei markets have shot up, citing sugar, whose price has shot up past 100,000 Sudanese pounds.
“This burden weighs heavily on citizens as they prepare to welcome the holy month of Ramadhan,” the resident said.
He urged the relevant authorities to support citizens in overcoming the economic challenges during this critical period.