Warawar residents in Aweil East County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal are decrying high commodity prices as the Aweil-Mairam trade route remains closed since March this year.

The Aweil-Mairam road is the main commercial route connecting Sudan with Northern Bahr el Ghazal State in South Sudan. Operations along the highway came to a halt over insecurity after three people on their way to Sudan were killed, causing panic among the business community.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Adong Garang, a resident of Warawar said, "The poor people find it difficult to access food because there is no money and work to buy food. 25kg of flour was sold at 11,000-12,000 SSP and now it has reached 14,000-15,000 SSP. The 50 kg is sold at 30,000 SSP. We are suffering,” she said.

Adong said many families are forced to find means to reach Sudan for affordable food but it is not easy. 

Santino Tong Tong, also a resident said the food prices are too high and worried that the situation could worsen if the highway remains closed. 

“The road is closed and that it is affecting the citizens. A bag of Dura 105kg was 19,000-20,000 SSP but now it increased to 23,000-24,000 SSP. And it will double if the road remains locked,” Tong said.

A Sudanese trader in Warawar, who preferred anonymity said, “The closure of the commercial road has brought negative impacts on trade and movement.” 

On his part, Abraham Garang, the chairperson of the Warawar Chamber of Commerce stated that the business activities have been disrupted by the closure.

"The closure of the highway is not good with us, it negatively affects us. Businesses may come to a complete halt. A few goods were brought here last week and are still available at the local stores," he said.