South Sudan hit hard by US dollar rise

By Joseph Nashion

YAMBIO, 13 August, 2015 [Gurtong] – Commodity prices in the Western Equatoria State capital Yambio have gone up following last month’s attacks.

State residents have voiced concerns with the prices hikes, saying majority of the residents could not afford basic items like food.

The prices of commodities like cooking oil and flour have skyrocketed with a 20- litre jerry can that four month ago was sold at 175 South Sudanese Pounds now going for 350 South Sudanese Pounds.

The chairperson of the local Chamber of Commerce Ezikia Philip attributed the price hikes to the sharp rise in the Dollar value against the South Sudanese Pound.

“The US Dollar used to be at 900 South Sudanese Pounds but today it has gone up to 1,500 South Sudanese Pounds per Dollar. This has greatly impacted on the commodity prices”, he told Gurtong.

He at the same time said the poor road infrastructure also contributed to the high costs as traders passed them onto the consumers.

Ezikia also added that the recent clashes had created fear among the business community with most relocating to other places for fear of future attacks.

“It is obvious that the few shops open here are overcharging because of high demand for their supplies”, he said.

He at the same time commended the security forces for their laudable effort to drive away the insurgents from Yambio.

He urged business people and farmers to get back to their activities as the situation had returned to normal.

“We are asking the business community to return as the town is clam and business is going on as usual. The continued closure of shops is creating a lot of anxiety among the community”, he said.