Sudan Inflation Tops 34%

Sudan’s annual inflation rate rose to 34.23% in July from 32.63% in June, the central statistics office said on Monday, partly reflecting the postponement of a US decision on whether to lift economic sanctions permanently, Reuters reported. The Sudanese pound has weakened and prices have climbed since the United States said on July 11 it was deferring the sanctions decision for three months. “The prices are increasing on a daily basis, and we can’t live like this. Our income is the same ... and the government doesn’t care about the people, and we don’t know what will happen or what we should do to be able to live,” said Rabab Ahmed, a 38-year-old day laborer. Sudan says it has complied with all US demands for lifting sanctions over human rights and other issues, which have been in place for 20 years and have hobbled the economy. Sudan’s economy has struggled since the south seceded in 2011.