The Trucks Rolled In, And Vitality Returned-Life Stirred Once More Within It Kadugli... The Road To Recovery

After nearly three years of a suffocating siege, the city of Kadugli-capital of South Kordofan State-has reopened its windows to the breeze of relief. This followed the success of the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied supporting units in breaking the encirclement imposed on the city. The entry of trucks loaded with food and consumer goods restored hope to faces worn down by long waiting, and this field development was immediately reflected in Kadugli's central market, which witnessed an unprecedented drop in the prices of essential commodities. The change sparked widespread joy and strong public engagement among citizens who had endured years of soaring prices, scarcity, and the looming specter of hunger.

Breaking the Silence of Hunger

Convoys of trucks carrying substantial quantities of food supplies continue to flow into South Kordofan State in successive waves, resembling lifelines cutting through darkness. Residents of Kadugli expressed profound relief and gratitude at the arrival of these provisions, which ended a prolonged state of economic suffocation. For more than two years, citizens had lived under the pressure of severe shortages and exorbitant prices that reached what many described as astronomical levels. The collective joy was accompanied by a shared sense that the city had regained its resilience and that the market had resumed its natural role as a barometer of life's recovery.

Revival and Price Collapse

Kadugli's central market is currently experiencing one of its most vibrant days in recent memory, as trucks loaded with various food and consumer goods continue to arrive. Items that had completely disappeared during the siege have returned to the shelves, generating widespread relief-particularly amid the dramatic and unprecedented price reductions.
Before the lifting of the siege, prices had spiraled out of control, effectively dictated by scarcity and market monopolies:
A measure of cowpeas: 180,000
1 kg of sugar: 70,000
A measure of sorghum: 100,000
1 kg of flour: 80,000
A measure of onions: over 200,000 (often unavailable)
A measure of salt: 300,000
1 kg of rice: 50,000
Laundry soap bar: 10,000
A measure of dates: 120,000
1 kg of lentils: 50,000
1 pound of coffee: 120,000
However, these prices collapsed immediately following the arrival of supply trucks, falling to record lows:
1 kg of sugar: 6,000
A measure of sorghum: 5,000
A measure of onions: 8,000
1 kg of flour: 6,000
A measure of salt: 4,000
1 kg of rice: 8,000
A measure of cowpeas: 25,000
Packet of vermicelli: 3,000
Packet of pasta: 3,000
Laundry soap bar: 2,000
A measure of dates: 10,000
1 kg of lentils: 8,000
1 kg of mutton: 60,000
1 kg of beef: 40,000
1 pound of milk: 2,000
This significant price decline signals clear indicators of economic recovery and confirms that lifting the siege has gone beyond a military event-it has translated directly into tangible improvements in daily life.

Reassurance and a Call for Unity

In order to assess the situation firsthand, the Governor of South Kordofan State, Mohammed Ibrahim Abdel Karim, visited Kadugli's market, inspecting commercial activity and the availability of goods. He reassured citizens about the stability of conditions and called for solidarity and the repair of the social fabric, emphasizing the importance of unity during this critical phase.
The governor stressed the necessity of supporting the armed forces and allied units that made significant sacrifices to break the siege and alleviate citizens' suffering. He stated that what Kadugli is witnessing today is the fruit of patience and steadfastness, adding that the coming stage requires collective effort to preserve these hard-won gains.

A Joy Greater Than Shellfire

Amal Ahmed Shaddad, Director of the South Kordofan State Radio and Television Authority, expressed profound happiness at the relief unfolding in Kadugli following the siege-breaking operation. In her statement to Al-Karama newspaper, she affirmed that this transformation resulted from the joint efforts of the Sudanese Armed Forces, the joint and special forces, and the 14th Infantry Division in Kadugli.
She praised their efforts in organizing market activity and securing the city, noting that citizens' joy is indescribable. Residents are engaging positively with security forces and resuming normal life, despite drone threats and shelling that targeted key locations in Kadugli in what she described as a desperate attempt to disrupt this humanitarian victory.

An Important Conclusion

Whatever the circumstances, what is currently unfolding in Kadugli goes beyond economic relief-it represents the restoration of life's very meaning in a city that had long hovered on the edge of deprivation. The lifting of the siege has revived the market's pulse, restored citizens' dignity, and renewed the city's confidence in itself.
Yet, as significant as this transformation is, it requires sustained security and uninterrupted supply chains to ensure that the joy does not fade into a fleeting moment. With the continued flow of trucks and reinforced stability, Kadugli today appears closer than ever to closing the chapter of siege and opening a new one defined by resilience, recovery, and hope.

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