Explain the extent to which the following institutional and political factors hinder Sudan’s economic growth and development:
o Provision of education and health care
At independence in 1956, education accounted for only 15.5 percent of the Sudanese budget, to support 1,778 primary schools, 108 intermediate schools, and 49 government secondary schools. Higher education was limited to the University of Khartoum, except for less than 1,000 students sent abroad by wealthy parents or on government scholarships. The adult literacy rate in 1956 was 22.9 percent, and, despite the efforts of successive governments, by 1990 it had risen only to about 30 percent in the face of a rapidly expanding population.
In terms of health care, Sudan’s health care system has failed. First of all, government funding for health care is very limited which leads to a much higher tax for the medical doctors to do their job. Besides the lack of prescription drugs and their high cost, many hospitals in Khartoum lack many basic hospital supplies that are necessary for providing proper medical care for patients, particularly those with terminal illness. Given such conditions, patients are compelled to pay for almost everything needed for their medical treatment. This of course led to sky rocketing of hospital bills, placing heavy burden on the patient and his/her family members.
o Extent and quality of infrastructure
The infrastructure is at a relatively low level because of the bad economic situation and internal conflicts. Some parts of the country (mainly in the south) are cut off from the modern world, leaving villages totally isolated. The total railways length is 5,500 kilometers (3,418 miles). However, because of the conflict in the south and long time neglect, the quality of the rail tracks is very poor. Therefore, only about one-fifth of its length is used. The quality of the roads is very poor. Many of the roads are located in the desert and are not passable during the rainy seasons. Only the road connecting Khartoum and Port Sudan is covered by asphalt. Bus connections are between these 2 cities and Kassala. Gravel roads connect Khartoum with only a few other major cities. Hence, these connections are terrible and transport facilities lack safety.
o Financial services/banking system
The Sudanese banking system consists of a dual banking system; one is Islamic in North Sudan and the other is Conventional in South Sudan. The banking system hasn't really hindered economic growth and development. Yes, Foreign Direct Investment has decreased due to the unstable banking system but there are plenty of other factors besides the banking system that have major contributions to Sudan’s economic development and growth.
o Legal system
Sudan’s legal system is a mixed legal system of Islamic law 0nd English common law. The assertion of the importance of culture and the sheer absence of formal justice structures will play a major role in the Sudan legal system. This poses significant challenges as to how to incorporate traditional law, given the diversity of at least 60 law systems, conflicting value sets, and demographic changes. In the face of intensely violent conflicts over land and other economic resources, one priority is the need to clarify the role of habitual law in the administration of criminal justice. Economic development has hindered because of these continuous conflicts. These conflicts have created a power vacuum within the legal system which indicates major corruption within the government. Since economic development has been hit, then economic growth will not be achieved.
o Political stability
Sudan has experienced countless civil wars with the South Sudanese people for over 50 years and has just ended on July 9th, 2011. These civil wars took place from 1955 to 1972 and again from 1983 to 2005. A new civil arose in Darfur which began in 2003 and is still ongoing. All of this conflict has caused much turmoil in terms of death and the displacement of the Sudanese people. To top it all off, Chad declared war on Sudan in December 2005. This extreme political instability has lead to very poor economic performance and high levels of poverty indicating low standards of living for the majority of the population. In this case, political stability, or lack thereof, to a great extent hinders Sudan’s economic growth and development.
o Extent of corruption
Sudan is one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The new government claimed it wanted to rid Sudan of corruption, financial mismanagement, nepotism and the military failures in South Sudan. However, within a short time, it had shut down all independent newspapers, jailed dozens of journalists and writers, dissolved Parliament and trade unions and banned all political parties. Real and perceived opponents of the new Islamic-oriented government were thrown into prison and many of their businesses were taken over by members of the government or their affiliates. Obviously, corruption has dramatically hindered economic growth.
Politicians all over Sudan have attacked non government organizations continuously to drive them out of the country. This just demonstrates how corrupt the country is. Below is a list of the attacks the NGOs have had to take from the Sudanese government. Corruption in Sudan has led to the lack of health services and education provided for its people due to their nonstop aggression against non government organization thus hindering economic development in Sudan.
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/international_justice/darfur/table/ngo-table.aspx
Discuss projects or initiatives that Sudan is undertaking in effort to strengthen 2 of the 6 factors (above):
o Infrastructure
To improve the infrastructure, the government opened road construction to the private sector in 1998. According to contracts with Saudi Arabia, 250 kilometers (155 miles) of new roads between Khartoum and Port Sudan should be finished in 20 years. Another project, which should bring 126 kilometers (78 miles) of roads between Khartoum and Wad Medani in 20 years, involves the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates. Interestingly, the Sduanese government plans construction of 2 new hydroelectric power stations since water is also quite important for transportation. The Merowe project located 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Khartoum should have 10 generators, each of them producing 110MW. The Kajbar project should supply 80MW.
o Health Care
Sudan has implemented many health system reforms in the last 20 years but I will just explain the most recent project the government is attempting to use. The Social Insurance Act was amended; and the National Health Insurance Corporation was transformed into the National health Insurance Fund, giving the center more power on resources and management aspects. The Sudanese government hopes to…
* To improve the health system performance in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, quality and equity
* To strengthen and build the institutional and human resources capacities of the local health system
* To improve coverage and enhance accessibility to quality PHC services,
* To improve equity and enhance service utilization,
* To reduce morbidities and mortalities and improve quality of life
o Provision of education and health care
At independence in 1956, education accounted for only 15.5 percent of the Sudanese budget, to support 1,778 primary schools, 108 intermediate schools, and 49 government secondary schools. Higher education was limited to the University of Khartoum, except for less than 1,000 students sent abroad by wealthy parents or on government scholarships. The adult literacy rate in 1956 was 22.9 percent, and, despite the efforts of successive governments, by 1990 it had risen only to about 30 percent in the face of a rapidly expanding population.
In terms of health care, Sudan’s health care system has failed. First of all, government funding for health care is very limited which leads to a much higher tax for the medical doctors to do their job. Besides the lack of prescription drugs and their high cost, many hospitals in Khartoum lack many basic hospital supplies that are necessary for providing proper medical care for patients, particularly those with terminal illness. Given such conditions, patients are compelled to pay for almost everything needed for their medical treatment. This of course led to sky rocketing of hospital bills, placing heavy burden on the patient and his/her family members.
o Extent and quality of infrastructure
The infrastructure is at a relatively low level because of the bad economic situation and internal conflicts. Some parts of the country (mainly in the south) are cut off from the modern world, leaving villages totally isolated. The total railways length is 5,500 kilometers (3,418 miles). However, because of the conflict in the south and long time neglect, the quality of the rail tracks is very poor. Therefore, only about one-fifth of its length is used. The quality of the roads is very poor. Many of the roads are located in the desert and are not passable during the rainy seasons. Only the road connecting Khartoum and Port Sudan is covered by asphalt. Bus connections are between these 2 cities and Kassala. Gravel roads connect Khartoum with only a few other major cities. Hence, these connections are terrible and transport facilities lack safety.
o Financial services/banking system
The Sudanese banking system consists of a dual banking system; one is Islamic in North Sudan and the other is Conventional in South Sudan. The banking system hasn't really hindered economic growth and development. Yes, Foreign Direct Investment has decreased due to the unstable banking system but there are plenty of other factors besides the banking system that have major contributions to Sudan’s economic development and growth.
o Legal system
Sudan’s legal system is a mixed legal system of Islamic law 0nd English common law. The assertion of the importance of culture and the sheer absence of formal justice structures will play a major role in the Sudan legal system. This poses significant challenges as to how to incorporate traditional law, given the diversity of at least 60 law systems, conflicting value sets, and demographic changes. In the face of intensely violent conflicts over land and other economic resources, one priority is the need to clarify the role of habitual law in the administration of criminal justice. Economic development has hindered because of these continuous conflicts. These conflicts have created a power vacuum within the legal system which indicates major corruption within the government. Since economic development has been hit, then economic growth will not be achieved.
o Political stability
Sudan has experienced countless civil wars with the South Sudanese people for over 50 years and has just ended on July 9th, 2011. These civil wars took place from 1955 to 1972 and again from 1983 to 2005. A new civil arose in Darfur which began in 2003 and is still ongoing. All of this conflict has caused much turmoil in terms of death and the displacement of the Sudanese people. To top it all off, Chad declared war on Sudan in December 2005. This extreme political instability has lead to very poor economic performance and high levels of poverty indicating low standards of living for the majority of the population. In this case, political stability, or lack thereof, to a great extent hinders Sudan’s economic growth and development.
o Extent of corruption
Sudan is one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The new government claimed it wanted to rid Sudan of corruption, financial mismanagement, nepotism and the military failures in South Sudan. However, within a short time, it had shut down all independent newspapers, jailed dozens of journalists and writers, dissolved Parliament and trade unions and banned all political parties. Real and perceived opponents of the new Islamic-oriented government were thrown into prison and many of their businesses were taken over by members of the government or their affiliates. Obviously, corruption has dramatically hindered economic growth.
Politicians all over Sudan have attacked non government organizations continuously to drive them out of the country. This just demonstrates how corrupt the country is. Below is a list of the attacks the NGOs have had to take from the Sudanese government. Corruption in Sudan has led to the lack of health services and education provided for its people due to their nonstop aggression against non government organization thus hindering economic development in Sudan.
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/international_justice/darfur/table/ngo-table.aspx
Discuss projects or initiatives that Sudan is undertaking in effort to strengthen 2 of the 6 factors (above):
o Infrastructure
To improve the infrastructure, the government opened road construction to the private sector in 1998. According to contracts with Saudi Arabia, 250 kilometers (155 miles) of new roads between Khartoum and Port Sudan should be finished in 20 years. Another project, which should bring 126 kilometers (78 miles) of roads between Khartoum and Wad Medani in 20 years, involves the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates. Interestingly, the Sduanese government plans construction of 2 new hydroelectric power stations since water is also quite important for transportation. The Merowe project located 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Khartoum should have 10 generators, each of them producing 110MW. The Kajbar project should supply 80MW.
o Health Care
Sudan has implemented many health system reforms in the last 20 years but I will just explain the most recent project the government is attempting to use. The Social Insurance Act was amended; and the National Health Insurance Corporation was transformed into the National health Insurance Fund, giving the center more power on resources and management aspects. The Sudanese government hopes to…
* To improve the health system performance in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, quality and equity
* To strengthen and build the institutional and human resources capacities of the local health system
* To improve coverage and enhance accessibility to quality PHC services,
* To improve equity and enhance service utilization,
* To reduce morbidities and mortalities and improve quality of life