Christmas: Prices skyrocketing in Aweil

The citizens of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are complaining about skyrocketing prices of food and other commodities which they have attributed to the approaching festive season.

Several shoppers who spoke to Radio Tamazuj said the increasing prices are causing a lot of problems, especially friction within families because they cannot fulfil the needs and expectations of spouses, children, and loved ones.

“The festivities are supposed to bring happiness but now we all know when you go to the market, you will get a cloth costing 15,000 SSP and children’s shoes are 20,000 SSP-everything is too expensive in the market," Awut Kuel Kuel, a female shopper said.

She said some wives commit suicide after their husbands fail to fulfil their needs amidst the skyrocketing prices.

Santino Diing, a resident of Aweil Town decried the problems brought about by the coming festivities and blamed the high prices for creating differences among family members.

“This thing is very difficult indeed because there is no money and prices are going up due to the approaching festive season. This has caused problems because children need new clothes, everybody at home needs clothes and they need something to eat, yet there is nothing and everything in the market is expensive," Diing lamented.

A young lady, Adut Deng, said the market is abnormally busy and that small children and adults are window shopping or trying to buy items yet they do not have sufficient money to purchase. She revealed that family-related complications escalate every Charismas season.

“Of course, the market is busy, noisy, and crowded indeed. Even movement through the crowds is a challenge. Things are expensive and children are crying so parents are in trouble,” Adut described.

When asked to explain why prices are high, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Chamber of Commerce said there are a lot of goods in the Aweil main markets despite the high prices.

Malong Deng Nyuany, the Advisor of the Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State Chamber of Commerce defended traders who increased prices saying the traders have difficulties in accessing hard currency which they use to import goods from Sudan, Uganda, and other neighbouring countries.

“The market is good. I am standing at Aweil Market now and if you come you will be happy. The crowd is big and people are shoving each other but they are happy and not fighting,” Deng said.

“Some people need clothes, others need to buy materials to renovate their houses.”

"Yes, things are expensive, but they are available, everything is here, the trucks are now at the park. Those coming from Amiet and Juba, all are parked. The problem is the dollar, the exchange rate is 61,000 SSP and a trader buys it and goes to bring the goods with it," Deng said.

He appealed to the government to release funds to promote businesses so that local people’s needs are met.