Sudanese ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has approved a controversial proposal to remove subsidy on petroleum products, in addition to other economic policies aimed at bridging the gap in the balance of payments, the official Sudanese news agency, SUNA, reported Friday.
SUNA said the party approved the policy at a meeting of its Leadership Council, chaired by President Omar Al-Bashir. The meeting ended in the early hours of Friday.
The decision was taken in light of a report by Vice President Hajj Adam Yusuf on the economic programme, the news agency said.
The party’s move is aimed at giving the government a political backing, as the lifting of subsidies is expected to spur a huge debate and have socio-economic and political repercussions.
Sudanese Minister for Finance Ali Abdul Rasool has already embarked on marathon meetings with opposition figures and leaders, including the longtime foe Hassan Abdalla Turabi.
