Sudan Inflation Soars as Economic Crisis Bites

Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
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Sudan Inflation Soars as Economic Crisis Bites

Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)
Motorists queue to fuel from the Matthew Petroleum station in Khartoum, Sudan January 6, 2019. (Reuters)

Sudan's annual inflation rate has topped 80 percent, the government said Tuesday, as the country grapples with an acute economic crisis.

"The annual inflation rate reached 81.64 percent in March, compared to 71.36 in February," the Central Bureau of Statistics said in a statement, attributing the rise to price hikes including on food.

Sudanese authorities have hiked bread prices, with one Sudanese pound now buying only a 50-gram loaf of bread, compared to 70 grams before.

Many Sudanese still queue for hours to buy staple foods or gas up their car, reported Reuters.

The country remains in deep economic crisis one year after mass protests led to the military ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir, ending his 30-year-rule.

The anti-Bashir protests, which erupted late 2018, were triggered by a government decision to triple bread prices before morphing into broader calls for political change.

Sudan's economic woes have been further compounded by the coronavirus outbreak which pushed authorities to impose a lockdown on Khartoum state, including the capital.

Under Bashir, Sudan's economy was dealt severe blows ranging from decades-long US sanctions to the 2011 secession of oil-rich South Sudan.

Despite Washington lifting some sanctions in 2017, Khartoum remains on a US blacklist as a state sponsor of terrorism, stifling investment.

A transitional administration which took power in August has been pushing to boost Sudan's international standing and to boost ties with the US.



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
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Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.