Sudan: Rising prices in Khartoum and surrounding states; protests likely

Event

Bread and transportation prices have significantly risen in the state of Khartoum - including the eponymous capital - as well as in the states of El Gezira, White Nile, Kassala, North Kordofan, and River Nile, and the city of Port Sudan. As of Wednesday, November 7, fuel and flour shortages have been reported for several days, with gas stations and bakeries across these states running out of fuel and bread; this has resulted in long queues, a lack of public transportation services, and the subsequent price increases. Related protests are possible.

Context

The current shortages come as the economy continues to suffer from surging inflation, which reached 66.8 percent in August. Various protests have taken place in Sudanese cities since early January due to price hikes, notably in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman. The government has begun to implement a number of broad-based economic reforms in line with recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an attempt to stabilize the economy and foster growth. For example, on October 7, the government ordered the devaluation of the Sudanese pound compared to US dollars, the third such devaluation since early 2018; the exchange rate is now SDG 47.5 to USD 1, compared to SDG 6.7 to USD 1 in 2017.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to fill up vehicle tanks whenever gasoline is available, ensure a sufficient level of fuel reserves before embarking on long journeys, and postpone nonessential travel until the situation stabilizes. It is also advisable to be vigilant at gas stations, where confrontations between drivers are possible.