SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Economic expert: Lift subsidies, normalise Dollar rate in Sudan

26/2/2020: Radio Dabanga - Economic expert: Lift subsidies, normalise Dollar rate in Sudan

 To tackle the current economic crisis, the Sudanese government must realise peace, lift subsidies on commodities, and normalise the Dollar exchange rate, according to professor Hamid Eltigani, an economist at the American University in Cairo.

 Eltigani disputes that petrol subsidies help the poor, arguing that it encourages smuggling. He suggests that subsidies be directed to the poor through ration cards.

 He also called for the immediate cessation of printing Sudanese pounds, the lifting of banking restrictions, and for state-owned companies to control gold exploration and production.

 Eltigani also blames the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) for the economic crisis and for “politically manipulating economic issues,” alleging that the FFC has only been interest in political, rather than economic, measures.

 Eltigani also suggests that security sector reform and the integration of the Rapid Support Forces into the army would reduce military spending.