SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Assayha - Adjusting fuel prices...increasing suffering

10/6/2021: Assayha - Adjusting fuel prices...increasing suffering, by Jum'ah Abdallah

Assayha’s feature piece on the fuel price increases quotes economic experts.

Economist Dr. Mohammed al-Nayer said the decision proved fears that the government will return from Paris and conduct “shocking decisions”, adding that the state should prioritise achieving economic stability before lifting subsidies, citing the domino effect of fuel price increases on higher costs for the agricultural and transport sectors.

Dr. Adel Abdelaziz defended the increases, arguing that they will hinder smuggling to countries where fuel is more expensive and provide budget surpluses to fund development, health and education. To mitigate their impact, he called for the government to provide low-cost public transportation by exploiting railways, passenger buses of large loads, and cancelling duties on bikes and motorbikes to encourage their usage.

Economist Dr. Mahjoub Abdallah criticised Hamdok’s government for implementing the World Bank’s programme without mitigating measures, warning that they will culminate in insecurity via protests and increased crime.