Nairobi, September 1(Darfur24)
Darfur24 learned on Monday that advanced steps are underway to establish a commercial bank in Darfur and Kordofan states, following a suspension of banking services for more than two years in the region.
The Economic Forum, held in Nyala, South Darfur State, last May, with the participation of delegations from various Darfur states, recommended the establishment of the National Bank of Darfur to serve as the central bank in the region and contribute to revitalizing economic activity.
Informed sources revealed to Darfur24 the existence of advanced understandings between a number of businessmen and the Rapid Support Forces regarding the establishment of a new bank under the name “Al-Farid” to operate within Darfur in the first phase.
They indicated that a bank administration has been appointed and has contacted the civilian administrations in the Darfur states to obtain official approval and identify locations for the bank’s branches in major cities.
The Rapid Support Forces control all cities in Darfur except for El Fasher, which has been witnessing fighting since May 2024, in addition to West Kordofan State and parts of North Darfur. and South Kordofan.
The Rapid Support Forces established civilian administrations in South, East, and Central Darfur, and West Kordofan, which continue to operate despite the formation of a government in the areas under their control.
A large number of citizens in Darfur and Kordofan rely on the Bank of Khartoum’s Bankak app, while others resort to traditional money exchange with branches inside and outside Sudan.
All banks in Darfur have been closed since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023, and most of their branches have been looted and vandalized.
Residents of Darfur and some areas of Kordofan are complaining of a severe shortage of banknotes.