Azhari Mohamed, a 60-year-old minibus driver in Port Sudan, finds his daily routine consumed by severe fuel shortages that threaten his ability to support his family. Working grueling hours from dawn until late evening, he is frequently forced to spend an entire day out of every three waiting in endless queues at petrol stations just to keep his vehicle running.

These protracted delays, often exceeding five hours, routinely end with fuel running out before he can even reach the pump, forcing him to restart the process elsewhere. Consequently, the ongoing crisis has driven up operational costs, prompting Sudan’s Transport Chambers Union to hike intercity bus fares by 40 percent and minibus fares by 30 percent, putting immense pressure on commuters.

Ordinary workers like Aziza Ibrahim, a 38-year-old cleaner, are bearing the brunt of these soaring transportation expenses, which now consume nearly half of her modest monthly salary. The financial strain has forced her to cut back her working days, while simultaneously struggling to afford vital diabetes medication amidst an economy crippled by war and inflation.

According to United Nations data, the protracted conflict between rival factions has dragged average incomes in Sudan back to levels not seen since the 1990s. With oil production severely crippled by infrastructure damage and stringent government import regulations further stifling supply, analysts warn that relief remains distant as global energy markets continue to experience profound volatility.

Source: www.aljazeera.com