South Sudan dealers blame fuel price hike on Russian invasion of Ukraine, warns Kenyan elections will worsen situation

JUBA – South Sudanese fuel dealers have blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for increase in the prices of fuel in the country and warned that upcoming Kenyan elections are expected to worsen the situation.

The world’s youngest nation has been experiencing inconsistent and rampant inflation as fuel prices hiked from 430 to 750 South Sudanese Pounds per liter.

This came after the exchange rate for 100 U.S dollars increased from 507 South Sudanese Pounds in Central Bank as of Friday.

Talib Juma, Managing Director of Bros Group Companies also blamed the hike in prices on the high cost of transportation and taxes in Kenya.

“Due to the current economic situation, the war between Russia and Ukraine and Kenya is experiencing a season of elections next month and economy inflation in Kenya is extremely very high,” Juma told reporters during a press conference in Juba on Friday.

Juma said Kenya’s August polling will likely hike fuel prices in Juba as borders close during elections.

“We all get fuel from the foreign market, it entered into the Kenyan’s capital, it is highly taxed and price increases but the one that reaches Juba has a bit taxes attach to it,” said Juma.

“One little of fuel at the moment is selling at 1.4 dollars in South Sudan but in Nairobi is 1.6 dollars and in Kampala is 1.8 dollars, currently; we are selling at the lowest price of fuel in East Africa.”

Miriam Dangasuk, Head of Programs of Trinity Energy blamed the prices hike on the introduction of a fuel marking system by the government.

“Whenever the fuel comes to the market, it has to be marked and this is mostly to ensure that all companies pay taxes and this has increased the prices of fuel,” Miriam said.

“As you know most of the fuel that comes to the country, comes from the neighboring country of Kenya and whenever there are challenges in Kenya and fuel price increases, the transportation and increased in the Kenyan side is reflected here in South Sudan.”