A numbers of residents in Wau town, Western Bahr el-Ghazal state, have reported a reduction in commodity prices in the town’s markets after South Sudan’s border with Sudan was reopened this year following renewed cooperation.

One source in Wau market told Radio Tamazuj that prices have dropped unexpectedly as a sack of onions is now 250SSP after previously surpassing 1000SSP.  The price of diesel has also dropped to 1000SSP from 2000SSP and sugar is now 450SSP.

However, Awad Hassan, a member of transport association in Wau, claimed that they have received a number of complaints from traders claiming to have been extorted whilst passing through check points on the border between Sudan and South Sudan.

He called upon authorities to closely monitor the situation surrounding check points which, he claimed, are demanding huge amounts of money from the traders, something which could pose a barrier to the efficient import of goods to the region.

“…Both on the side of Sudan and South Sudan, drivers complain to us about illegal check points where money is taken without legal invoices and references. Some use to issue normal white paper as invoices which is a tragic problem. I hope that government will review and find out a solution to the difficulties facing traders in the border check points as every trader who managed to come here is saying that ‘I will not come here again,’” Hassan stressed.