As Economic Gloom Settles in the Sudanese Sky, Hope Can’t Be Far Behind

By Teresa Sfeir

News

On 14 September, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir replaced the existing 31-member cabinet with a 21-member cabinet in an attempt to cut government spending and “fix the situation” of the country. As the previous cabinet had failed, Al-Bashir appointed the new members so they might take urgent measures to boost a collapsing economy. Sudan’s economic situation is growing worse despite the fact that the US lifted a decades-long trade embargo in October 2017. The country is still suffering from the loss of three-quarters of its oil resources to South Sudan since the secession in 2011, and inflation is said to have risen above 60% within the recent months.

Moreover, the country’s central bank has devalued its currency from 6.7 to 30 pounds per US dollar in the past year. The black market rate, however, is 42 pounds. According to Reuters, “Coca-Cola distributor DAL Foods and Saeed Group, Sudan’s top biscuit maker, say sales of the snacks they produce have held up during the downturn as people substitute them for foods they can no longer afford.”

Analysis

The problem with the new cabinet is that most of its members are not so new. Whether President Al Bashir is genuinely seeking reform, stalling and distracting the people, or consolidating his power ahead of the 2020 elections (as most of the newly appointed members happen to be loyalists), reshuffling the government isn’t going to change much the difficult situation in which the country finds itself. Sudan is in need of major reform if it is to rise from its current state. In fact, it is recognized as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, ranking 175^th of the 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2017 report.

This may be why Dr. Abdalla Hamdock, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, declined his appointment as Finance minister, thwarting the regime’s hopes of winning international favor through having him on the team.

Theological Reflections and Recommendations

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17,18 NIV).

Those in power often sit within ivory towers, oblivious to the plight of ordinary people. The Church in Sudan, on the other hand, can have an active role in helping the people, by gathering resources, networking and advocating for the cause of the poor, and training Christ-followers to bring about positive change in the community. As local congregations often lack needed resources, the Global Church can step in to offer support.

For instance, there is a growing reliance in Sudan (and other Arab countries) on imported food supplies, rather than depending on local resources. This has resulted in trade imbalances and a vulnerability to world price instability. Moreover, as Sudan is no longer able to depend on oil and gas resources, shifting its focus toward industrial or agricultural development may hold great potential.

Through the help of the Global Church, the Sudanese Church can be empowered to provide tools for development, helping its people find alternative food production methods, strengthening the local industrial and agricultural sectors. Perhaps such an initiative would draw an alienated Sudanese Church closer in relationship to its wider community.