KHARTOUM, 10 June, 2021 (TON): Following the lifting of the fuel subsidies as part of economic reforms supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), fuel prices almost doubled in Sudan.

The move is likely to ignite unpopular discontent for a country facing deep economic crisis.

The price of a liter of gasoline has jumped from 150 to 290 Sudanese pounds (0.3 to 0.56 euros).

The price of a liter of diesel is up by almost 128%, from 125 to 285 Sudanese pounds (0.55 euros).

On Tuesday night, the new measure was approved by the Finance Ministry, the media reported.

In October, prices had already doubled. Several protests over high cost of living have taken place over the past year.

The IMF, which adopted a program for Sudan last year, has demanded that the Sudanese government implement several austerity measures. Those measures include the removal of state subsidies.

However, Sudan has been in a deep economic crisis since the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after 30 years of rule marked by armed conflict, an ailing economy and heavy international sanctions.