On Tuesday, dozens of Sudanese protested against the army-backed government’s plan to implement a partial currency swap outside its Port Sudan headquarters.
Residents of the six states it controls have until Monday to exchange their old 500 and 1,000 Sudanese pound banknotes for new ones, according to a deadline set by the army-backed government.
However, information minister Khalid al-Aiser declared that citizens would have until January 6 to replace their old notes as dozens demonstrated outside government buildings in the Red Sea port city on Tuesday.
During the 20 months of combat between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the value of the Sudanese pound has fallen precipitously, from 500 to the dollar in April 2023 to 2,500 to the dollar now.
Tens of thousands of people have died, over 12 million have been displaced, and every industry has been impacted by the conflict.
The partial currency exchange, according to the army-backed government, is intended to “protect the national economy and combat criminal operations” by counterfeiters.
However, the country’s primary export outlet, Port Sudan, was paralyzed by trade and transportation when the deadline arrived on Monday.
According to AFP correspondents, banks had a limited supply of the new notes, while bus drivers, gas stations, and store owners refused to accept the old ones.
The regime was accused by many Sudanese of adding to the already burdened and increasingly destitute population.
Critics have also warned that the move risks adding an economic dimension to the divide between areas under army control and those held by the RSF.
The RSF now controls nearly all the western region of Darfur and swathes of the centre and south, while the army holds the north and east.
Greater Khartoum is split between the warring sides.
The RSF has already banned the use of the new notes in areas under its control and accused the army of “a conspiracy to divide the country”.
