Shelling of a market in El-Fashir leaves deaths and skyrocketing prices

At least five people were killed and others injured in an artillery attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a market in El-Fashir, while prices of essential goods in the city have reached astronomical levels, making it difficult for citizens to purchase.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that five people were killed on Sunday and others were injured as a result of an artillery shell fired by the militia towards the Naivasha market in Abu Shouk camp.

In another context, a trader in the Naivasha market who spoke to Sudan Tribune said that the prices of the remaining goods in the market continued to rise dramatically over the past three days, despite decisions by the North Darfur government prohibiting speculation and monopolization of goods.

Naivasha is the only market operating in El-Fashir at less than 50% capacity.

The trader revealed that a sack of millet, the staple food for El-Fashir residents, has reached approximately 1,600,000 Sudanese pounds ($750) after selling for approximately 1 million Sudanese pounds last week. He noted that a sack of sorghum has reached approximately 1,500,000 Sudanese pounds ($700), while a 50-kilogram sack of sugar has dropped from 4 million pounds to to 3,600,000 Sudanese pounds ($1,600) today. The merchant reported severe difficulties in obtaining table salt, rice, bakery flour, and a large number of legumes and fresh vegetables due to the tightening of the siege on the city by the Rapid Support Forces.