Sudan: Liquidity crisis makes fuel prices surge

Residents have complained that ongoing fuel and liquidity crisis is making the prices rise and creating a knock-on effect on transportation tarrifs, reports Radio Dabanga.

Residents of Central Darfur, El Gezira, Kassala and Talodi argue that both the fuel and liquidity crisis in Sudan are being exacerbated by illicit re-sale of oil.

This fuel crisis may come after army and National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) officers took fuel from the pumps to sell it on the black market, reported to Radio Dabanga. The price of an illegal barrel of diesel is fixed at around SDG8,000 ($168), while its price at licensed fuel stations is of approximately SDG1,300 ($27.30).

On 12 February 2019, the Oil Ministry called on vehicle owners in all Sudanese states to register their vehicles and equipment at the closest fuel station to ensure that the right amount of fuel would be provided to them. According to a press release issued by the same ministry, this measure has been taken by the Sudanese Oil Corporation seeking to fight against smuggling of oil products on the black market.