December 5, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese 1st Vice President Ali Osman Taha described those speculating a popular uprising in the country as “naive”, expressing confidence that the people are able “to distinguish the wicked from the good”.

Sudanese 1st Vice President Ali Osman Taha

Addressing the Khartoum state legislative assembly Taha said the people will not respond to the “credulous” who are betting that the citizens will take the street to topple the government.

Taha was apparently responding to statements by his former mentor and leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) Hassan al-Turabi who called last week for a revolution against the government.

"Those who dreamed that separation [of South Sudan] means judgment day has come had their dreams shattered,” Taha said.

The Sudanese VP said the people’s awareness and content with the government stems from the latter’s sincere handling of crucial issues that need immediate and bold decisions.

He nonetheless acknowledged the severity of the economic crisis but demanded patience saying that the medicine will be bitter tasting.

The Sudanese south became an independent nation last July and took with it 75% of the country oil wealth which meant that the north lost billions of dollars in revenues that have helped fuel an economic boom particularly since a peace agreement was signed between Khartoum and southern rebels in 2005.

Analysts and critics say that the Sudanese government failed to use the oil money to diversify the economy and help non-petroleum sectors such as agriculture. They also accuse the government of overspending and mismanaging the country’s resources with special focus on defense and security.

Several small protests have broken out in the Sudanese capital and other parts of the country against rising food prices and deteriorating public services.

(ST)