Traders in Aweil town and Warawar says prices of goods increased in the market owing to transport problems, high road taxes and devaluation of the Sudanese currency.

Consumable goods including flour, sugar, and sorghum have increased in price in Northern Bahr al Ghazal, in part because of heavy rain along the trade route between Sudan and South Sudan.

Hamed Surah, a northern Sudanese trader in Aweil, on Sunday said the high prices are due also to high taxes at roadblocks at Majok Nyinthiou, Warawar and even within Aweil town

He mentioned also the high price of US dollars and heavy rain in Sudan that caused some goods to increase in price in Sudan.

For example, four that was selling for 260 SSP is now 300 SSP, and sugar has gone from 260 SSP to 300 SSP.

As to the road checkpoints, he said they pay a lot of money on every truck coming to Aweil, putting the amount at 7,000 SSP per each vehicle to the taxation office as well as taxes on the goods themselves.

Garang Garang Deng, Deputy Chairperson of Warawar Traders Union said prices have increases due to heavy rain in border areas between Sudan and South Sudan, particularly Meiram.

He admitted high taxes at Majok and Warawar saying, “We used to talk about high taxes – the authorities concerned do not want to listen to the complaints.”

The head of taxation at Majok and Warawar could not be reached for comment.