High costs and scarce rainfall exacerbate the living crisis in West Darfur

El Geneina: October 6, 2026: Radio Dabanga - West Darfur State, especially its capital El Geneina, is witnessing a deterioration in living conditions amid a sharp rise in food prices, a decline in rainfall, and the high cost of goods imported from neighboring countries, as well as exchange rate fluctuations. Journalist Mohieldin Zakaria told Radio Dabanga that the price of a sack of millet has risen from about 300,000 Sudanese pounds to 600,000 pounds, while prices for corn, cooking oils, and basic food commodities have seen significant increases. He attributed this mainly to the lack of rain, as well as what he described as attempts by some traders to monopolize a number of goods. He added, 'These developments have raised growing fears among the population that the state may be facing a severe food crisis, and perhaps famine in the coming period, in light of the decline in agricultural production and the high prices of basic materials.' Zakaria pointed out that the residents of West Darfur rely heavily on food supplies arriving from neighboring countries via Chad, but the rise in the price of the Chadian Franc against the Sudanese Pound has led to an increase in the prices of those goods. He explained that the price of 1,000 Chadian Francs rose from about 35,000 Sudanese pounds a month ago to about 46,000 pounds currently, with the upward trend in the exchange rate continuing. He also noted that the high cost of financial transfers via the 'Bankak' application represents an additional burden on citizens, noting that the deduction rate in the state has reached about 46%, which makes it increasingly difficult to obtain goods and services. A citizen reported that the exchange rate of the pound against Bankak has reached 70,000 pounds. Zakaria stated that the volatility of the exchange market, citizens' reliance on the parallel market to determine the price of the Sudanese Pound against the Chadian Franc, as well as the instability of the dollar price, are all factors that have contributed to the increase in commodity prices and exacerbated economic pressures on the population. He noted that current indicators in West Darfur point to a continued deterioration in living conditions, with growing concerns about the worsening of the food crisis in the coming period.