El Geneina , May 22(Darfur 24)
A tour by a “Darfur 24” correspondent in the market of the city of El Geneina, the provincial capital of West Darfur State, revealed a significant increase in the prices of food supplies received through the gate of the Chadian city of Adre due to a sudden decrease in the price of the Sudanese pound against the African franc.
The ” Katkat”market for currency trading witnessed a significant decline of Sudanese pound against the African franc, as the price of a thousand francs rose from 12,000 Sudanese pounds to 14,000 Sudanese pounds.
A “Darfur 24” correspondent from El Geneina confirmed that the price of a 50-kg bag of sugar rose from 104,000 to 120,000 pounds, a bag of cement from 33,000 to 45,000 pounds, a 25-kg bag of milk from 180,000 to 240,000 pounds, and a carton of pasta from 21,000 to 25,000 pounds, a 25-kilo bag of flour ranges from 35,000 to 50,000 pounds.
In statements to Darfur 24, the Executive Director of El Geneina Locality, Issa Hammad, attributed the rise in the prices of food supplies to the fluctuation in the price of the pound against foreign currencies.
He pointed out that the rise in prices had a negative impact on the livelihood of citizens.
He added, “There is a significant decline in purchasing power in the El Geneina market due to the greed of merchants and the inability of citizens to obtain their living requirements.”
Hammad revealed arrangements to regulate currency trade to prevent currency speculation and implement local decisions.
Last February, the executive authorities issued a decision confirming that the Sudanese currencies of one hundred and two hundred pounds are legal and cleared currencies, and the Central Bank of Sudan has not issued any circular stating that their circulation has been stopped.
According to an agreement between the two parties, the authorities obliged currency traders to adopt 30% of small currencies in any commercial exchange.