Market Closures Spread Across the Country Amid Economic Insecurity
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Loading... - Beatrice Darko
- 27 Sep 2022
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In protest against tax increases by state governments in Sudan, markets in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, El Gedaref, capital of El Gedaref state, and Ed Damazin, capital of Blue Nile state, will close between Sunday and Thursday, as the country's economy continues to stagnate.
In Ed Damazin, merchants announced the closure of their shops on Sunday and Monday, with the exception of bakeries and medical services. The decision to to close close came after the Tax Office failed failed to review estimates of business profits. Activist Bakri Darweesh, in a statement to Radio Dabanga, said that he expects living conditions in Blue Nile state to worsen, especially as the region is witnessing renewed fighting that affects the agricultural season.
In El Obeid, traders, craftsmen, and owners of travel buses decided to strike and completely close the markets today and Tuesday in protest against the tax increases, which have risen by ten percent. The merchants in El Obeid described the increase in the fees rate as "illogical" in light of the economic recession. The strike in El Obeid excludes vital services, including bakeries.
On Thursday, El Gedaref merchants continued their strike for the second day in rejection of "exorbitant taxes," which have increased tenfold. Merchants told Radio Dabanga that the strike was carried out by all of the city's markets, with the participation of shops of all kinds. Read More...
