Sudan war and inflation deepen hardship for families in Khartoum, report says

What happened

Al Jazeera reports that families in Khartoum are facing severe economic stress due to soaring food prices and shrinking incomes, in the context of ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Several residents interviewed described having to borrow money, skip meals, and rely on irregular or insufficient incomes as prices for basic foodstuffs sharply increase.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The report highlights Rasha Abdelaziz Musa, a tea seller supporting four children alone after her husband, a Sudanese military member, has been absent on the front lines for over eight months. Purchasing staple foods like lentils and falafel has become increasingly costly, with Musa often ending her days in debt to suppliers. Other families similarly report that one income is no longer sufficient, with some children working to help meet household expenses.

Data from a survey of local markets in Khartoum revealed that prices for essentials such as sugar, cooking oil, bread, lentils, rice, and powdered milk have surged within days. The Sudanese pound also weakened against the dollar on the parallel market, evidencing further currency depreciation impacting purchasing power.

Known from the source

• Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since 2023.
• Food prices in Khartoum have risen sharply in recent weeks and months.
• The Sudanese pound has weakened on the parallel market, trading around 10,050 pounds per $1.
• Sudan’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported a 28 percent year-on-year rise in general prices in September 2026.
• Food and beverage prices across Sudan rose nearly 37 percent year-on-year in September 2026.

What remains unclear

Official statistics from Sudan’s Central Bureau of Statistics show overall price increases of 28 percent year-on-year in September, including nearly 37 percent higher food and beverage prices nationwide. In Khartoum State, prices climbed by close to 60 percent, with a sharp monthly rise in September following infrastructure damage, increased demand due to population returns, and fuel shortages constraining supply chains.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of current exchange rates beyond Al Jazeera’s report. Latest official or independent food price data to confirm Al Jazeera’s surveyed figures. Further confirmation that families’ experiences reported by Al Jazeera represent broader trends in Khartoum.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Sudan. Open the source.