Torit market runs short of food after violence and looting

Customers crowded at a shop on Tuesday, July 12, buying the little flour left amid fears that supplies will be held up for some time. Few shops opened as most had nothing to sell.

Civilians ventured out to town markets to seek food for their families as the police and South Sudan’s army patrolled the town, a reminder of Monday’s shooting that interrupted trade links.

George Ndunda, who works for Hotel Torit was among the dozens struggling to buy maize flour, said the market is running short of food items, prompting inflated prices. Buying 25 kilogram of maize flour that last week cost 500 SSP now costs almost twice the price.

“The issue of food is causing a lot of problems. Store keepers are taking advantage and raising prices every day,” he said. “People are suffering from hunger we beg the government to look at it.”

Jeili Ahmed, sells food items in Torit’s old market and said the flour they have left will not last until tomorrow, adding that suppliers fear more road attacks and looting. “The food we have is not enough but we will give whatever is remaining to people at affordable prices,” he said.

Hifita Scovia, Torit’s Business Community Chairlady, said the government has to ensure food commodities get to Torit as most people depend on the market. “The major thing now is hunger,” she said. “In the market we don’t have anything, not even sorghum or maize,” she said, referring to two key food stuff for South Sudanese families.

Torit Municipal authorities are aware of the shortages. Eddy Willian, Torit Town Mayor, said traders have complained several times of insecurity on the supply route of goods from neighbouring Uganda.

He says the state aims to provide security for traders supplying goods to Imatong State. He said the route used to supply Torit runs through Magwi, which became increasingly insecure.

“When Magwi was overrun by these gangs, they took one truck with 15 tonnes of flour which was coming here,” he said, adding that they need four to seven weekly trucks to feed the population.

The mayor added the food insecurity might get worse if the armed groups continue interrupting farming in the state.

Many parts of South Sudan have been wracked by violence over the past few days, leaving hundreds dead and forcing thousands to flee.