Vegetables on sale at Konyo-Konyo market - credit | Moyo Jacob/Eye Radio | April 19, 2022

The governments of Ruweng Administrative Area and Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have complained about a worsening economic situation resulting from the conflict in Sudan.

The two border regions import food and other basic commodities from Sudan by road.

Ruweng Minister of Information, Youth, and Sports said the main supply route from the north has been severely limited after fighting erupted in April between the Sudanese ruling generals.

Sarah Akuot said the prices in the markets have shoot up leaving people struggling to afford even the most basic commodities.

“The economy is at risk because Ruweng lifeline lies on the products that come from Sudan. Right now, we have noticed a reduction in the food that is to come from Sudan,” she told Eye Radio.

Sarah says the supply from Sudan is being smuggled through risky routes, where it often end up being looted by militia groups.

“There are some challenges where people attack these traders on the way and their food is taken, and when they bring the food, the prices have risen which is a difficult situation for the people”.

Meanwhile, the Information Minister of Northern Bahr El Ghazal said the state is facing a similar economic hardship due to the Sudan conflict.

William Anyuon said traders from the two countries are fearing the risk of transporting goods through the troubled Darfur region.

“When that war erupted in Sudan it took a moment for goods to come from Sudan to South Sudan so it make it difficult here in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Gazal,” he said.

However, Anyuon said the state has started receiving goods from Southern Darfur through Kir Adem.

“The economic situation was very bad, but we are now receiving some goods from that side of Kir Adem. It is open and there are many traders from Sudan coming to that side.”

“Some goods are coming from Sudan now because they are some states that the fighting has not reached. So the traders are struggling to brings goods from places like Southern Darfur”.

Fighting is still reported in Khartoum and other cities in Sudan despite the ongoing talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The escalating conflict is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the region, as South Sudan receives thousands of refugees and returnees on daily basis.