The Impact of socio-economic plans on the Sudan

The four development plans since independence have achieved only part of their objective. They failed to achieve import substitution, a high standard of living for the whole people, and to stabilise the prices. They have been unable to achieve economic independence from the import of consumer and capital goods. They have also failed to achieve a positive rate of export growth, while the rate of imports is increasing. On the other hand they did create serious and possible chronic economic and social problems. Instead of a modern, urbanised society they have created some ‘enclaves’ in the wide traditional society. The obsession of the policymakers with theoretical models and alien experiences in development, urbanisation, etc., has led the Sudan to the present worsening situation. Ref., tab.