West Darfur traders strike against 300% tax increase

27/01/2014 17:38

Market traders in West Darfur went on strike on Saturday in protest against an increase of sales tax, and the arrest of the Chamber of Commerce’s president and three members. One of the traders told Radio Dabanga that they were shocked to hear about the increase in the sales tax per loaded commercial transport vehicle. West Darfur authorities increased the taxes on Thursday by more than 300 percent, from SDG3,000 ($525) to SDG10,000 ($1,755), without an explanation. The West Darfur Chamber of Commerce rejected the increase too. The security forces in El Geneina arrested the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Tijani Yusif, and three other members. The traders closed their shops in the city on both Saturday and Sunday, saying they will not engage in any commercial activity until the Chamber of Commerce president and members are released, and the increase withdrawn. File photo (Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid)

Market traders in West Darfur went on strike on Saturday in protest against an increase of sales tax, and the arrest of the Chamber of Commerce’s president and three members.

One of the traders told Radio Dabanga that they were shocked to hear about the increase in the sales tax per loaded commercial transport vehicle. West Darfur authorities increased the taxes on Thursday by more than 300 percent, from SDG3,000 ($525) to SDG10,000 ($1,755), without an explanation.

The West Darfur Chamber of Commerce rejected the increase too. The security forces in El Geneina arrested the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Tijani Yusif, and three other members.

The traders closed their shops in the city on both Saturday and Sunday, saying they will not engage in any commercial activity until the Chamber of Commerce president and members are released, and the increase withdrawn.

File photo (Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid)