Sudan says government “overstaffed”

September 7, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese minister of finance and national economy Awad Al-Jazz acknowledged that the government is overstaffed creating a drain on the country’s resources.

The Sudanese official was suggesting that agreements signed between Khartoum and ex-rebels in East, West and South of the country mandates creating new position to integrate them into the government.

Al-Jazz blamed the international community “for not fulfilling its [financial] obligations”.

However, he noted that the salaries have been “paid on time”.

Sudan is largely dependent on oil exports but as global financial credit crisis began to unfold, crude prices dropped sharply widening the budget deficit.

The Sudanese finance minister said that the financial and food crisis will compel Sudan to utilize the available resources.

(ST)