Road closure, tolls, squeeze prices in North Darfur
The flow of commercial trucks and passenger buses between Kutum and El Fasher has stalled for the second week owing to the security situation in North Darfur. The halt is a result of the increase in the number of check points and ‘toll gates’ established by pro-government militias along the road between the two cities – a situation first reported by Radio Dabanga in March. The ongoing logistical situation has caused a rise in the prices of consumer goods. A cake of soap now costs SDG4 ($0.70), a sack of sugar SDG235 ($40), and a tin of oil SDG245 ($43). An activist told Radio Dabanga that the militias’ heavily armed Land Cruiser vehicles have become the only means of transportation for citizens between the two cities, with a travel fare of SDG150 ($26). File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran / Unamid Militia ‘toll gates’ paralyse transport in North Darfur (27 May 2014) El Fasher-Kutum road closed in North Darfur (26 March 2014)
The flow of commercial trucks and passenger buses between Kutum and El Fasher has stalled for the second week owing to the security situation in North Darfur.
The halt is a result of the increase in the number of check points and ‘toll gates’ established by pro-government militias along the road between the two cities – a situation first reported by Radio Dabanga in March.
The ongoing logistical situation has caused a rise in the prices of consumer goods. A cake of soap now costs SDG4 ($0.70), a sack of sugar SDG235 ($40), and a tin of oil SDG245 ($43).
An activist told Radio Dabanga that the militias’ heavily armed Land Cruiser vehicles have become the only means of transportation for citizens between the two cities, with a travel fare of SDG150 ($26).
File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran / Unamid
Militia ‘toll gates’ paralyse transport in North Darfur (27 May 2014)
El Fasher-Kutum road closed in North Darfur (26 March 2014)
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