Sudanese President Omar al- Bashir on Thursday said the new economic measures, which are expected to be declared soon, including removal of fuel subsidies, were necessary to avoid a more critical situation.

Al-Bashir made the remarks while addressing students' gathering in Khartoum, noting that the subsidies on fuel only benefit the rich people.

He said that the forthcoming economic reform measures aim at fair distribution of resources and vowed to press ahead for achieving development and stability for the Sudanese people from all ranks of life.

The Sudanese president is expected to declare a package of economic measures soon, including the complete removal of subsidies from benzene and wheat, the partial removal of the subsidy from gasoline, in addition to rationing public expenditure and specifying expenditure priorities.

Al-Bashir further urged the Sudanese people to understand the circumstances which necessitated the adoption of the expected measures.

Sudan has been suffering from an economic crisis after losing most of its oil revenues following the separation with South Sudan in 2011.

Last year, the Sudanese government adopted similar economic measures that triggered limited protests, while the Sudanese opposition forces are threatening to take to the street if the new measures are implemented.

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