In Sudan's Jebel Marra mountains, a fertile region producing crops like oranges, apples, and strawberries, food is rotting due to transportation difficulties. While much of Sudan faces severe food shortages and famine affecting nearly 25 million people, Jebel Marra's problem is isolation and insecure roads preventing produce from reaching wider markets. The area, controlled by the neutral Sudan Liberation Army - Abdulwahid (SLA-AW), is surrounded by warring factions, making trade routes hazardous and leading to oversupply and low prices in local markets. The influx of displaced individuals further compounds humanitarian challenges within the region.
Jebel Marra's Unique Agricultural Landscape
The Jebel Marra mountains, located in western Darfur, are characterized by a Mediterranean-like climate and fertile soil. Farmers in this region cultivate crops such as peanuts, oranges, apples, and strawberries. Historically, oranges from Jebel Marra were valued across Sudan. The area experiences green peaks, particularly during the rainy season.
Sudan's National Food Crisis
While Jebel Marra has sufficient food production, the broader context in Sudan indicates severe food shortages. Fighting over the past two and a half years has crippled agriculture across the country. According to the UN, nearly 25 million people, approximately half of Sudan's population, are experiencing severe food shortages, with over 600,000 facing famine conditions.
Obstacles to Food Distribution
Despite abundant produce in Jebel Marra, farmers encounter significant challenges in transporting goods to markets. Produce often spoils before reaching consumers, or is sold at reduced prices. An orange vendor in Golo town noted that items are sometimes discarded due to spoilage. Insecurity and poor road conditions contribute to these transportation difficulties.
Isolation of SLA-AW Territory
Jebel Marra is the sole remaining territory controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army - Abdulwahid (SLA-AW), an armed group that has maintained neutrality in the ongoing conflict. SLA-AW has not signed peace agreements with Khartoum since 2003 and has controlled these areas for over two decades. The region's isolation has intensified due to the current war.
To the west and north, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militias have blocked major roads. RSF positions to the south are subjected to weekly bombings by the Sudanese army, which have resulted in civilian casualties. RSF also controls areas to the east. This encirclement prevents farmers and traders from accessing national markets in cities like el-Fasher (130km away) and Tine (275km away) on the Chadian border. Alternative routes exist but involve difficult journeys without the same national reach.
Market Operations and Security Concerns
Tawila, situated at the edge of SLA-AW territory, has emerged as a makeshift market. Located on the road to el-Fasher, which is under an RSF siege, Tawila hosts thousands displaced from el-Fasher. The difficulty of moving produce further has led to an oversupply and decreased prices in this market. Efforts to smuggle produce into el-Fasher are reported as dangerous. Travel over short distances, such as 12km, can take a full day due to mountainous terrain and mud, with insecurity exacerbating these challenges.
In Central Darfur, a recent truce between Fur ethnic leaders and Arab nomads has facilitated limited trade. Markets have reopened in Nertiti, an SLA-AW-controlled town, allowing Arab women to sell sour milk and Fur farmers to sell produce. However, this arrangement is considered unstable. The market operates once a week, and armed robberies persist on roads despite the agreement.
Produce can also be sold in Zalingei, the RSF-controlled capital of Central Darfur state. Arab militias allied with the RSF face accusations of harassing or attacking civilians, though these groups deny such claims. On market days, the number of checkpoints between Nertiti and Zalingei can exceed two dozen. These checkpoints, manned by RSF fighters or Arab militia, often involve demands for fees from drivers.
Checkpoints and Contraband
SLA-AW checkpoints are present on roads leading into the Jebel Marra mountains, where armed personnel also demand money. Bags are searched, and items considered contraband, including skin-bleaching creams, are confiscated.
Influx of Displaced Populations
Despite the relative calm within SLA-AW-controlled areas, evidence of conflict elsewhere is visible. Lorries transport people fleeing fighting, particularly from around el-Fasher, on a daily basis. Many displaced individuals seek refuge in public facilities such as schools and clinics, with limited humanitarian assistance due to challenges aid agencies face in navigating numerous checkpoints.
In Golo, a woman who fled el-Fasher reported sheltering in a classroom with 25 other families, lacking income, employment, and access to land. Sick and elderly individuals, along with children experiencing hunger, are present among the displaced. The availability of food that cannot be transported out of Golo offers some relief to these populations.