Addressing Poor Economic Policies in Sudan Will Take More than Simple Alignment with International Monetary Fund Austerity Requirements

By Manal al-Tayyar

News

In an effort to comply with International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations, the government of Sudan significantly cut subsidies in its 2018 budget, including those on wheat. In response, bread prices spiked. Ali Ahmed, a baker, told Al-Jazeera that a bag of flour which cost him $22 last month now costs him $57, almost triple the price. This has led to an increase in the prices of basic commodities.

Protests broke out in various parts of the country in reaction to the spike in the price of bread. The government has denied that the protests were a response to higher food prices and announced that they will be “dealt with forcefully.” The government closed down newspaper publications, even confiscating copies that had already been distributed, used tear gas in certain cases against protesters while detaining others, including the leader of one of the largest opposition groups (Omar Al-Dageir) as well as a reporter from Agence France-Presse and another from Reuters who were covering the events.

Repercussions

Poorer Sudanese communities are paying a higher price for this policy decision. Some have even started skipping meals. In fact, austerity measures and other economic policies effected by governments in the hope to achieve economic development are often implemented at the expense of the poor.

However, economic poverty in Sudan is also directly related to the widespread corruption among ruling and political classes, as well as the taxation policies. The IMF’s Executive Director for Sudan has stated in his Country Report 17/364 (section 42, p. 17), that “Sudan ranks very low in the 2017 World Bank doing business rankings, with major weaknesses in getting credit, protecting minority investors, and trading across borders […] Also, the business environment would benefit from intensified anti-corruption measures.”

On another level, government control of media raises concerns in regard to restrictions on freedom of speech. Such a governmental response to protests may create further tensions rather than contribute to a solution.

Theological Perspectives

The Biblical perspective with regard to taking care of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger (i.e. the refugee) is centered on a Kingdom that considers first and foremost the vulnerable. As we read in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy: “Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge” (Deuteronomy 24:17, NIV). The New Testament continues in this same spirit with James declaring: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27, NIV).

Moreover, Proverbs 29:2 highlights the effects of corruption within the ruling elite on society: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

Recommendations

1. Policy makers and economists, especially those who are followers of Christ, are encouraged to develop recommendations, laws and policies that would be sensitive towards the most vulnerable amongst us.
2. In an environment of oppression, it can be difficult for the church to directly condemn a repressive regime, but it may be wise in such instances to work towards finding persons capable of influencing policy makers. In this respect, it might strengthen the government’s ability to bring about positive economic development if it took into account the interests of “the least of us” while simultaneously responding to global pressures and sound economic policy recommendations.