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To Benefit from Aid, Sudan Must Enact Tough Economic Reforms Quickly,
Economist Says

Nabeel Biajo

   WASHINGTON - Sudan's transitional government must start moving quickly
   on tough, economic reforms to stabilize the economy if it wants to
   benefit from pledges of support offered by its international partners,
   said one U.S.-based analyst.

   On Thursday, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State Dominic Raab said
   the UK would provide a $453 million bridge loan to help Sudan clear its
   arrears with the Africa Development Bank. While visiting Khartoum last
   week, Raab also agreed Britain will provide $54 million to support the
   Sudan Family program, which provides cash transfers to poor Sudanese
   families trying to stay afloat during the economic crisis.

   After meeting with the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, General
   Abdelfattah Al Burhan, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, Raab praised
   Sudan for enacting civil and legal reforms, adding the UK is putting
   its "development capabilities behind the ambitions of the Sudanese
   people and the next generation."

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