Kabkabiya, November 10 (Darfur24)
The city of Kabkabiya, west of El Fasher in North Darfur, has witnessed a sharp rise in food prices within a single week, amid escalating security tensions in the border town of Al-Tina with Chad. Reports suggest that the Rapid Support Forces may be preparing to launch an attack in the area.
Eyewitnesses and local traders said the movement of commercial trucks to Kabkabiya has nearly halted, triggering supply shortages and driving up prices.
Ahmed Ezz El-Din, a trader, told Darfur24 that most goods are normally supplied from Al-Tina via Chadian territory due to its proximity and ease of access. He added that the closure of Al-Tina’s market forced traders to move their goods to the Al-Tina Jaqrabah market, stopping commercial trucks heading to Kabkabiya and causing a sharp price increase.
According to Ezz El-Din, prices in Kabkabiya have risen significantly over the past week. A 50-kg bag of sugar rose from 180,000 to 210,000 Sudanese pounds, a 25-kg bag of flour increased from 190,000 to 230,000 pounds, while a sack of onions jumped from 140,000 to 200,000 pounds.
Also, a 36-pound can of local oil increased slightly from 65,000 to 70,000 pounds while pasta, rice, and lentils saw a sharp rise amid scarcity, with sales now controlled through wholesalers and three pieces of bread now being sold at 1,000 pounds.
Ezz El-Din explained that goods transported from Nyala are more expensive due to distance and transportation costs, whether coming from South Sudan or through Chad’s Adré crossing. Traders prefer using the Al-Tina route for lower costs and easier access.