The central market south of Khartoum …a recipe for an environmental disaster

By Ali Noor

Passing through the central market in the south of the capital Khartoum twice a day to and from my place of work is a real nightmare that I have to endure every day. The place is completely chaotic with street vendors displaying their goods on the ground at a place that is supposed to be a station for public transport vehicles. Garbage is everywhere with pedestrians negotiating a pathway towards their destination.

It’s quite clear that fruits and vegetables at this awful state of display are exposed to all sorts of pollution. Here, there must be a regular assessment by health authorities of food safety and hygiene.  Pedestrians can be seen tiptoeing to avoid stepping on food items displayed on dirty and obviously contaminated rags.

This is apart from the fact that theft, harassment and sometimes armed robberies are rife as you witness such cases on a daily basis. Municipal authorities used to launch regular cleaning campaigns but to no avail and the situation always remain the same. For sure there must a permanent solution to the status quo.

Re-arranging and cleaning the area does not need a miracle, it is simply the need to enforce regulations and laws related to environment preservation and public health with a well-designed plan to relocate the transportation station or move street vendors to a more suitable and accessible area.

The situation does not please any local official or a foreign visitor as the central market south of Khartoum became inconsistent with our social values. Many continue to complain that the market has become a shelter for the homeless and a haven for crime offenders. Indeed there is a need for urgent action to end to this environmental and moral deterioration.