Kadugli, February 09 (Darfur24)
Markets in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State, have recorded a sharp drop in the prices of basic commodities following the arrival of trucks carrying food supplies over the past two days.
The commercial convoys reached the city about a week after authorities announced the lifting of a blockade previously imposed by the Rapid Support Forces and the SPLM-N, allowing goods to flow back into local markets.
Ali Mohamed Zein, a trader, told Darfur24 that at least seven trucks arrived between yesterday and this morning carrying essential items, including onions, oil, spices, flour and sorghum, as well as other goods that had been largely unavailable for months.
He said the renewed supply significantly reduced prices. According to Zein, the price of a bundle of sorghum dropped to 5,000 pounds after reaching nearly 100,000 pounds during the shortage, while another type of sorghum fell to 8,000 pounds from around 200,000 pounds when it was often unavailable.
He added that the price of a kilogram of flour fell to 6,000 pounds compared to roughly 80,000 pounds previously. Sugar dropped to 6,000 pounds per kilogram from about 70,000 pounds, lentils declined to 8,000 pounds from 50,000 pounds, and a bag of salt decreased to 4,000 pounds after previously reaching about 300,000 pounds.
On February 3, Sovereignty Council Chairman and Sudanese Army Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced the reopening of the road leading to Kadugli and the lifting of the siege on the city.
Earlier, on January 26, the armed forces said they had broken the siege on Dilling after their troops advanced from Hebeila, which had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces and the SPLM-North.
The reopening of the route linking Kadugli and Dilling, via Hebeila, Abu Kershola, and Al-Rahad in North Kordofan, has since enabled the movement of civilians, goods and humanitarian aid.