S Darfur road blockade: ‘high prices, more looting’

Clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel groups led to the blockage of roads in South Darfur, and communities in the vicinity are experiencing a rise in commodities’ prices and more lootings as a result.In a related development, 500 families have recently arrived to Girayda fleeing militias’ attacks where the battles took place. Sources speaking to Radio Dabanga from Girayda, said the road connecting their town to the state’s capital Nyala, has been “completely closed” since the clashes erupted in Kashalango and Abga Radji last week.Under the circumstances, a citizen said, prices of consumer goods boosted leading to more looting and to the “deterioration of security conditions”.  One pound of sugar now costs five Sudanese pounds (SDG), one pound of onion costs four SDG, a tin of oil rose to 10 SDG and the price of one loaf of bread boosted to one SDG, the citizen said.The source stressed that prior to the crisis he could buy five loafs of bread for one SDG, noting that gasoline products are in shortage. 500 families In the past days, Girayda saw 500 families arriving in the locality who are said to be escaping assaults by pro-government militias in the villages south of Nyala, where last week’s battles took place.Government troops and rebels reportedly clashed in the vicinity of Kashalango and Abga Radji last Thursday and Friday, according to reports by Radio Dabanga.The newly displaced come from the villages of Abu Jabra, Dogma and Umm Gunja, “all of which were attacked by pro-government militias”, witnesses stressed.Families are stationed north of Girayda locality without shelter or medicines and they are appealing to human rights’ organizations to provide them aid.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated: ‘4,000 flee villages burnt by aerial bombings in S Darfur’ -sources (18 March 2013)