Nyala, June 15 (Darfur24)
The Sudanese pound experienced a sharp decline against the U.S. dollar over the past week, with the exchange rate in parallel markets in Khartoum and Port Sudan reaching approximately 4,700 pounds per dollar, according to currency traders.
In contrast, traders in Nyala, South Darfur, reported relative stability in foreign exchange markets, with the dollar trading at around 3,600 pounds for buying and 3,555 pounds for selling over recent days.
Currency dealers told Darfur24 that the exchange rate through the Bankak application, operated by the Bank of Khartoum, remained stable at approximately 4,250 pounds per dollar, highlighting a significant gap between exchange rates in army-controlled areas and those in Nyala.
The divergence comes amid Sudan’s geographic and economic fragmentation. The Sudanese army controls most of eastern, central and northern Sudan, in addition to large parts of the Blue Nile region, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control most of Darfur and significant areas of Kordofan.
A trader in Nyala attributed the relative stability of the local market to the availability of foreign currency, particularly U.S. dollars. He said dollars are widely used in commercial transactions, including fuel imports through the Al-Raqibat border crossing with South Sudan.
The trader added that many goods imported from Chad are purchased using the Central African CFA franc, which has become an important trading currency in Darfur markets. According to local traders, one CFA franc is exchanged for approximately 32 Sudanese pounds in Nyala.
Another trader, Musa Adam, told Darfur24 that the availability of dollars and Chadian francs has helped shield Nyala’s markets from the sharp currency fluctuations seen in Khartoum and Port Sudan.
He explained that traders often purchase dollars through the Bankak application before converting them into cash Sudanese pounds to secure liquidity and reduce the costs associated with financial transfers.
With most banks and financial institutions no longer operating in Darfur due to the war, traders increasingly rely on a combination of Sudanese pounds, foreign currencies, and cross-border payment arrangements to facilitate imports from neighboring countries.
Market sources also said that RSF personnel are paid in U.S. dollars, while many international organizations operating in the region pay salaries and operational expenses in foreign currencies, contributing to the circulation of hard currency in local markets.