21,500 Central Darfur shops closed in protest against ‘army fees’

Shops in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur, closed their doors from Thursday to Sunday in protest against fees imposed on traders in support of the Sudan Armed Forces operations in the country. Merchants confirmed to Radio Dabanga that more than 21,500 shops at the markets of Zalingei, including the southern market, the grand market and Touro market were closed in protest against the fees ranging from SDG250 ($44) to SDG500 ($88), imposed by the authorities in support of Sudan’s military operations. The merchants described the fees as unjust. “The levying of these fees is not in the interest of the citizens, the nation, or the trade. It only creates more hardships to all of us by narrowing our scope of livelihood.” File photo: President Omar Al Bashir inspects army troops during a parade Related: Criticizing South Darfur camp leaders arrested (17 January 2014)

Shops in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur, closed their doors from Thursday to Sunday in protest against fees imposed on traders in support of the Sudan Armed Forces operations in the country.

Merchants confirmed to Radio Dabanga that more than 21,500 shops at the markets of Zalingei, including the southern market, the grand market and Touro market were closed in protest against the fees ranging from SDG250 ($44) to SDG500 ($88), imposed by the authorities in support of Sudan’s military operations.

The merchants described the fees as unjust. “The levying of these fees is not in the interest of the citizens, the nation, or the trade. It only creates more hardships to all of us by narrowing our scope of livelihood.”

File photo: President Omar Al Bashir inspects army troops during a parade

Related: Criticizing South Darfur camp leaders arrested (17 January 2014)