SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Fuel shortages put squeeze on Sudan's transitional government

12/2/2020: Reuters - Fuel shortages put squeeze on Sudan's transitional government, by Khali Abdelaziz and Aidan Lewis

Reuters report that fuel shortages have left motorists in Sudan skipping work to queue for petrol and forced the transitional government to introduce a rationing system.

 With civilians spending entire days in queues that span several miles in search of both bread and fuel, the shortages piled more pressure on the civilian government as it struggles to deliver improvements.

 Reuters note that officials are yet to negotiate a plan for subsidy reform and overcome technical challenges to administer the payment, despite talking about moving towards cash transfers.

 Officials reportedly attribute the issues to a broken refinery pipeline. Reuters add that imports and distribution of fuel have been restricted by foreign currency shortages and a lack of road transport and port capacity.