October 16, Nairobi — A number of employees affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) civil administration in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, revealed that intensive meetings were held to discuss exporting agricultural crops to neighboring countries.

An employee at the Nyala Stock Exchange, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Darfur24 that meetings were held last week to begin travel arrangements for major traders and the civil administration to the countries of Chad, the Central African Republic and South Sudan to open alternative trade windows to the areas controlled by the Sudanese army.

He confirmed that the Nyala Municipality hosted a meeting that included the head of the civil administration in the state, the Ministry of Finance, leaders of the RSF, the police, the stock exchange, the Nyala Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce. The discussion allegedly included how to benefit from the cash revenues of foreign currencies and trade them among Sudanese citizens, and open alternative markets in various localities to buy and export crops.

The RSF has officially stopped the shipment of peanuts, sesame, oil and gum arabic to areas under the control of the Sudanese army and informed the Chamber of Commerce of this, another source told Darfur24.

South Darfur State produces 40% of Sudan’s peanut production, in addition to producing significant quantities of sesame, hibiscus, watermelon seeds, gum arabic and beans.