Korma, July 29 (Darfur24)
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have confiscated more than 15 trucks carrying tobacco bound for northern Sudan, marking the second such seizure in four months and causing heavy financial losses for traders and farmers, according to traders and local sources in North Darfur State.
Traders from Korma, Tawila, and Shangil Tobaya told Darfur24 that an RSF unit intercepted the trucks near Al-Kuma, north of El Fasher, late last week and seized hundreds of quintals of tobacco destined for Northern State.
Yassin Ahmed, speaking on behalf of the traders, stated that the confiscated shipments belonged to farmers and merchants from several parts of North Darfur.
“The seizure of tobacco shipments for the second time in four months has doubled the financial losses suffered by traders,” he said.
Ahmed warned that the repeated confiscations threaten the tobacco trade, one of the main sources of income for farmers in the region.
Local sources in Tawila told Darfur24 that the seizure has also disrupted local markets, causing tobacco prices to fall sharply. They said the price of a quintal has dropped from about 650,000 Sudanese pounds to around 400,000 pounds, increasing economic pressure on farmers as the new agricultural season begins.
In February, the RSF similarly confiscated dozens of trucks carrying tobacco to northern Sudan.
Last year, the RSF announced a ban on the export of agricultural produce, including tobacco, to areas under the control of the Sudanese army. Tobacco is among the most important cash crops for farmers in western Sudan.