Nyala, June 01 (Darfur24)
A worsening fuel shortage in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, is driving up the cost of basic goods and services, disrupting water supplies and transportation, and exacerbating the economic hardship faced by residents.
Citizens and traders told Darfur24 on Monday that the crisis has led to sharp increases in transport fares and food prices, while fuel-dependent businesses and services have been forced to scale back or suspend operations.
Abu Huraira, a resident of Nyala, said the shortage has contributed to a growing drinking water crisis and rising living costs. He noted that the price of a barrel of drinking water has increased to 10,000 Sudanese pounds, while local transport fares have risen from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. Prices of staple food items, including corn flour, have also climbed.
Traders said several cooking oil presses and drinking water wells have stopped operating due to a lack of fuel, further reducing the availability of essential services.
Fuel trader Yaqoub Saleh attributed the price surge to reduced supplies arriving through the Al-Naam border market with South Sudan, the main fuel gateway for the region. He added that seasonal rains have hampered truck movements, worsening supply disruptions.
According to Saleh, the price of a barrel of gasoline has risen to 2.25 million Sudanese pounds, while diesel now sells for 2.35 million pounds, compared with around 1.8 million pounds previously.
Darfur and parts of Kordofan have become increasingly dependent on fuel imports from South Sudan through the Al-Naam market after supply routes from northern Sudan were disrupted by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.