The problem of the think-tanks within NCP

The issue of lifting subsidies on fuel is still raising controversy and deeper concerns among economists and experts and even among the governmental bodies themselves. The same applies to the steps that were taken by the Central Bank of Sudan against the dollar recently, while the public is now awaiting the final decision amid conjectures of the impact of these increases on the current inflationary wave.

It is worth noting that both steps have been subject of contention among the economists of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) itself. A difference was also noted between MPs and their party, added to a dispute between the Workers' Union-which is also affiliated to NCP- and the government which is now preparing to adopt the policy of lifting subsidies on fuel.

 These differences raise a fundamental question on the mandatory nature of the ruling party’s economic decisions!

There is an economic office in the ruling party that is supposed to be responsible of making the policies and providing solutions and alternatives to the government to be adopted throughout its institutions, or making a certain policy by the Government and then to be provided to the ruling party to decide its approval or rejection on it, like what was happened in the case of fuel which was approved by the ruling party.

However, in view of all the above, many sectors disassociated themselves from the decisions of the party, giving rise to a pressing question on the party's ability to commit its different sectors to its decisions.

 There is no doubt that the government's policy would be passed in the end, even with all these differences among the party’s leaders regarding the feasibility of this policy, but if the party failed to convince its leaders of the importance and necessity of the decisions it made, how could it convince others?

Can this happen in a state of institutions? Can extremely critical decisions such as floating the Sudanese pound and lifting subsidies on fuel be taken without consensus on them? How can a decision be passed and announced without consultation, study and research by the organizations concerned with the Sudanese economy?  And why doesn't the government allow the think-tanks of the concerned bodies to make the appropriate decisions?

Such decision-making flaw in the bodies of the state, which is definitely not confined to the economic sector alone, needs to be addressed as such sensitive issues do not tolerate disagreement on them or taking unilateral decisions by one party, because such decisions will ultimately have grave consequences on the future of this country.