Sudan extends state of emergency in two states

By Omer Erdem

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudan’s parliament has approved the extension of states of emergency in North Kordofan and Kassala states for six months.

The local Ashorooq TV channel reported on Wednesday the extension in Kassala was due to the existence of human, weapons and drug trafficking networks. In North Kordofan, the proliferation of unlicensed vehicles and presence of some rebel elements that threatened the region’s stability were cited.

President Omar al-Bashir originally issued a decree declaring states of emergency in the two states on Dec. 30, 2017.

Sudanese authorities say at least 19 people were killed last month in street demonstrations in several states against rising prices and shortages of basic commodities.

Opposition groups say the death toll is closer to 40.

The authorities announced a state of emergency and curfew in a number of provinces over the protests, with government officials accusing Israel of plotting with rebel groups to foment violence in the country.

The move by parliament also comes a day after the Central Bank of Sudan announced that new banknotes would be released this month as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis and cash shortage.

“With an aim to resolve the banknote issue gradually, [Sudanese pound] banknotes of 100 ($2.10), 200 ($4.20) and 500 ($10.50) will be launched in mid-January,” Central Bank Governor Mohamed Khair Al-Zubair told a press conference in the capital Khartoum.

He said they hoped to resolve the problem until April, noting the highest banknote on the market -- the 50 pound note -- is worth one dollar.

Rising demand for cash due to inflation and the central bank’s policy of restricting the money supply to protect the pound have led to a sharp liquidity crunch.

The cash shortage has hit an all-time high, prompting the release of banknotes higher than 50 pounds for the first time.

A nation of 40 million, Sudan has struggled to recover from the loss of three-quarters of its oil output -- its main source of foreign currency -- when South Sudan seceded in 2011.