Amid the living and economic conditions brought about by the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, the atmosphere of Eid al-Adha is still largely absent in Sudan despite the approaching holiday.
Most Sudanese are living through a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by displacement, widespread unemployment, the decline in the value of the national currency, rising inflation rates, and an escalating cash liquidity crisis. Families are struggling to bring joy to their loved ones by securing an Eid sacrificial sheep despite this year’s soaring prices.
Livestock markets in the states of Khartoum, the Red Sea, Gedaref, Kassala, River Nile, White Nile, Blue Nile, as well as the Tamboul market in eastern Al Jazirah State, are witnessing active movement as Eid al-Adha approaches.
Prices for large sheep have reached 700,000 Sudanese pounds, while medium-sized sheep range between 400,000 and 500,000 pounds, and small sheep cost around 300,000 pounds.
Livestock traders attributed the sharp rise in prices to complex challenges, most notably the disruption of supply routes from production areas in Kordofan and Darfur due to unsafe roads caused by intensified fighting between the two sides of the war. As a result, livestock production has become confined to relatively safer states.
Amid these conditions, many citizens fear that with the arrival of Eid, balancing basic living needs with the cost of the sacrificial animal will become even more difficult, especially in light of halted daily work and depleted financial savings.
