Many citizens in Sudan’s Blue Nile state are complaining of lack of basic services amid high government spending to support the war in the area.

Citizens who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday said there is a lack of development in all areas of the state. The citizens accused the government of spending the state budget in financing the war.

A government report seen by Radio Tamazuj shows that the budget of one battalion of the Popular Defense Forces consisting of 800 persons amounts to 875,319 SDG. They pointed out that this amount is for only one unit, noting that other forces including the Sudan Armed Forces, popular police and tribal militia need to be paid as well.

The citizens worried about continued deterioration of services owing to the cost of supporting of the war.