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Sudan's people want bread, not another Arab Spring

Sudan needs to make drastic changes and impose strict laws to fight corruption.

Since December 19 last year, Sudan has been witnessing almost daily demonstrations in the cities of Al Qadarif and Atbara. Dubbed as 'bread protests', they started after the government decided to increase the price of a loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three. The bread was already in short supply and the hike in prices eventually sparked protests. The demonstrations soon turned into a call for the end of the regime of Omar Al Bashir, who has led the country for 30 years.
Since the partition of Sudan, the country has lost three quarters of its oil resources to the South. Naturally, the loss of revenue has badly affected the economy.
Over the last two months, the Sudanese Professionals Association, which includes doctors, teachers and engineers, has been instrumental in keeping the protests going. The economic condition is deplorable, and the Association believes such protests are vital to highlight the precarious condition the people are living in.
More than 51 have lost their lives so far during these protests, as per Human Rights Watch. In the wake of such unrest, the Sudanese President has imposed emergency in the country for one year and dissolved the government. In a speech to the nation, Al Bashir has noted that the demands of the demonstrators are "legitimate" and he "does not reject them". However, he has denounced an attempt to "exploit them to take the country to an unknown destination".
The President of Sudan has blamed the protests on foreign agents and has challenged his rivals to win the elections through the ballot. He has also insisted that he will not allow situation to run out of control and spark another Arab Spring of sorts in his country. 
A month after the protests, the UAE who is keen on not letting the situation escalate and has rushed aid to Sudan.
According to the Khartoum based newspaper Al Intibaha, 26 shiploads of fuel were sent from the UAE to Sudan carrying 1.12 million tonnes of fuel enough, which will suffice for three months. The UAE has also allocated $300 million in financing to Sudan to help it during its agricultural season.
Sudan doesn't need Arab Spring moment that could lead her into devastation and chaos, but it sure needs an economic map road for sustainable development goals.
Last January, the Central Bank of Sudan announced its intention to reduce the country's inflation rate to 27.1 per cent in 2019. 
At a press conference in the Sudanese capital, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan, Mohamed Khair Al-Zubair, affirmed that "the policies of the Central Bank of Sudan for 2019 are aimed at achieving monetary and financial stability with sustainable growth". The Central Bank hopes to "achieve a GDP growth rate of 5.1 per cent" which can be a real boost for Sudan's economy.
Sudanese economy was crippled during the decade of economic sanctions imposed by the US in May 2007. However, since the sanctions were lifted in October 2017, the Sudanese government has taken a few steps to improve the economy. The government has distanced itself from Iranian influence and collaborated with allies in the fight against terrorism. The government has also shown its willing to open up in order to improve the economic situation.
Nevertheless, Sudan needs to make drastic changes and impose strict laws to fight corruption. More than that, it needs to take a reassess its budget expenses - a lion's share of the budget (at 70 per cent) goes to cover security expenses of ministers, while only 7 per cent is allocated for health and education. 
The most valuable lesson provided by Arab Spring is: when citizens are provided with a decent life, the youth are gainfully employed, and everyone has access to good health and education, there is no reason for protests. Sudanese leaders should keep this in mind. 
Christiane Waked is a political analyst based in Beirut