Arabic version: الحكومة السودانية تدرس إجراءات تقشف وتدابير لتخفيف أعباء المعيشة

According to Allafrica, Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris convened an emergency meeting of the Government of Hope in Khartoum following the conclusion of the three-day Strategic Hope Forum, which ended on Sunday. Ministers, state ministers and a number of undersecretaries attended the meeting.

Officials discussed outlines for an urgent plan to be developed in the coming days that would adopt austerity measures and reduce government spending. The meeting also examined economic measures intended to ease cost-of-living pressures on citizens and improve living conditions.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Trade said the ministry had established eight subsidised sales outlets in Khartoum State. Work was also under way on a project to sell bread at reduced prices, expected to begin soon in Khartoum and several other states. Participants additionally discussed sending an aid convoy to North Kordofan State with essential supplies for people affected by the war and facing humanitarian hardship.

Ministers presented updates on foreign relations, fuel and electricity delivery, water services, and the restoration of institutions damaged by the war. The Minister of Energy briefed the meeting on the Light and Water programme, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reported that a further 25% of beneficiaries had gained access to water services in a number of cities and villages. The ministry also cited cooperation with UNICEF and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on water projects.

The government said the meeting was part of efforts to set priorities for the coming phase, including reducing public spending, easing economic pressure, improving essential services, supporting war-affected people, rehabilitating damaged institutions and strengthening foreign relations.