Al-Daein, November 3, (Darfur24)
Trade and humanitarian activities have resumed between western Sudan and neighboring South Sudan through the Al-Naam border crossing, after months of near-complete suspension caused by the rainy season.
Abdel Salam Ali, a trader, told Darfur24 that commercial movement has begun to recover between the Al-Naam area and the states of Darfur and Kordofan, following a hiatus of more than three months due to heavy rains that made the routes impassable.
He explained that the interruption of trade during that period led to a sharp increase in the prices of food and petroleum products in Darfur, while the cost of medicines doubled due to supply shortages.
Ali noted that East Darfur State is now witnessing an influx of fuel, essential goods, and medicines following the reopening of the route.
Similarly, another trader, Hussein Jad Al-Sayed from the Al-Daein market, reported a noticeable decrease in the prices of some commodities, especially those imported from South Sudan, attributing the decline to the resumption of movement through the Al-Naam crossing.
He added that the Al-Raqibat crossing is expected to reopen next week on a limited scale, using tractors, as it serves as the nearest passage for East and South Darfur states.
The states of Darfur rely heavily on basic commodities such as foodstuffs and petroleum products imported from South Sudan, after trade routes linking them to northern, central, and eastern Sudan were disrupted by the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.