Sudan VP warns against manipulating prices of commodities

December 19, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan second Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha has warned of a zero-tolerance towards attempts to manipulate prices of basic commodities and spreading panic among citizens, in an effort to quell rampant fears of unrest ahead of south Sudan vote on independence.

Sudan is due to hold a referendum vote in January 2011 on whether the semi-autonomous region of South Sudan should gain full independence or remain united with the north.

The politically sensitive plebiscite, which was stipulated under a 2005’s peace deal that ended decades of north-south civil war, is likely to see Sudan split in two.

In a speech delivered on Sunday on the occasion of declaring Sudan’s independence from inside the parliament back in 1955, Taha strongly instructed state authorities to hit hard at those trying to amass illicit wealth by cornering commodities in order to make prices increase.

“I declare in the name of the president of the republic that there will be no toleration for toying with people’s livelihoods…manipulation of commodities or spreading panic and fear among people,” Taha said.

Fears of possible unrest as the referendum nears have catapulted prices of basic commodities and dollar exchange rates in north Sudan to unprecedented levels. Also, there have been reports of demonstrations in Shandi town in the north over the worsening economic situation.

(ST)