West Darfur smugglers, currency speculators to be fined 1 million pounds

The head of the civil administration in Sudan’s West Darfur, Al-Tijani Al-Taher Karshoom, on Wednesday, issued an emergency order prohibiting the smuggling of essential goods, forest and agricultural products, and speculation in foreign currencies.

The directive also imposed a fine of up to one million Sudanese pounds on anyone who violates the order.

During a press conference following a security committee meeting in Al-Geneina, Police Major Ali Mohammed Zakaria, the secretary of the West Darfur Security Committee, said the authorities acted to prevent the manipulation of the local economy.

“The security committee convened today (Wednesday) to review security reports and discuss economic issues,” he stated. “The head of the civil administration issued a decision to prevent manipulation of the state’s economy.”

The order specifically addresses the prohibition of smuggling essential goods, forest and agricultural products, and speculation in foreign currencies. It stipulates a fine of one million pounds for each violation of Order No. 10, with a three-month imprisonment if the fine is not paid, and doubled penalties for repeat offenses.

Maj. Zakaria noted that the security situation in all localities of the state is stable.