Sudan: Protests possible following currency devaluation

Event

On Sunday, October 7, the government ordered the devaluation of the Sudanese pound compared to US dollars, in a bid to counter an ongoing economic crisis. This is 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. Related protests are possible in the coming days. A heightened security presence and traffic disruptions are expected near any demonstration site.

Context

The Sudanese economy continues to suffer from surging inflation, which reached 66.8 percent in August. Various protests have erupted 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 increase growth.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to keep abreast of the situation, remain vigilant, and avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.