Lack of new currency in South Darfur

Citizens from several localities demand an extension of currency change deadline

Citizens in the state of South Darfur complained of lack of new currency in a number of localities, and demanded for an extension of the deadline for currency change on Monday.

People requested that the deadline be extended from September 1st to the end of October, saying that the replacement had begun in only five (5) cities with banks.

The new currency is currently being transported from Nyala by the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to the cities of Davouk, Alrdom, and Jebel Marra, which are close to the border with South Sudan.

However, Sudanese people in localities that lack banks haven’t had access to the currency due to the dangers and difficulty in reaching the larger cities with banks.

Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, governor of South Darfur, told Radio Dabanga in an interview: “Changing the currency won’t take place in all localities of the state, but will be focused in certain prime areas because of security threats.”

He added that agencies had been appointed to change the currency in the areas lacking banks. The Sudanese government would furthermore ask the central bank to extend the deadline for currency change should most citizens fail to meet it because of the fall season.

Sudan adopted a new currency in July this year after South Sudan did the same post its independence on July 9, 2011.