Traders refuse to lower prices, arrested in West Darfur

Four traders were arrested in Sirba, West Darfur, on Saturday, on charges of incitement, and they have not been released so far.

Traders Babikir Ishag Ismael, Fadul Mohamed Musa, Ishag Ibrahim and Abbakra were arrested in El Banjadid, 9 km west of Sirba.

The coordinator of Sirba camps for displaced people told Radio Dabanga that the arrest took place against the background of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) members who demanded merchants at the market to lower their prices.

“This, the traders refused, on the pretext that the prices are general. The traders import the goods from El Geneina markets at these high prices,” the coordinator explained.

Traders protested and closed the market, upon which the police arrested four of them on charges of incitement. They have been handed over to the security apparatus in Tendelti.

The prices of consumer goods such as sugar, flour, spaghetti, oil and milk in markets in Sudan have went up high. In early January, the Sudanese markets were hit by the consequences of financial measures taken by the government based on the 2018 National Budget.