The people of Birao in the Vakaga division of the Central Africa Republic have expressed fear over rising food prices, following the conflict  in neighbouring Sudan where most of their goods come from.

Reports say municipal authorities in the region met on Thursday with traders to address the situation. 

Birao markets have seen an increase in the price of a bag of sugar from 45,000 FCFA to 80,000 FCFA. 

“We know that there is fighting in Sudan and our traders took advantage of it to increase the price of sugar. They are now selling a bag at 80,000 FCFA instead of 45,000 FCFA,” said first municipal councilor, Karama Ahmat. 

The municipal council has set the kilogram of Sugar at 3,500 FCFA  and a bag at 60,000 FCFA.

Although the emergency meeting enabled municipal authorities to set fixed rates on products, some still go on with the odd prices. 

Traders from the Central African town hugely import goods from neighbouring Sudan. There’s fear the deepening crisis in Sudan may lead authorities of both countries to shut down borders, which may largely affect the market. 

Heavy fighting was reported in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, between the military and a rival paramilitary group.

The violence comes from a failed agreement to form a new civilian government after ousting former leader, Omar Al-Bashir.

On Friday, the army said it agreed to a three-day truce to enable citizens to mark the Muslim feast, Eid Ul-Fitr. The rival group, Rapid Support Forces, also agreed to a three-day ceasefire. 

It takes 174 km to leave Sudan for the Central African Republic. In January, Sudan closed the border with CAR, mentioning a security threat from their Southwestern neighbor.