Sudan’s oil wealth making life harder–Max Willner

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This article mentions the benefits and negatives that oil prices are bringing to Sudan. The high oil prices are helping Sudan grow economically, with their “gross domestic product expected to rise 11.2% this year.” While these new oil prices are helping Sudan’s economy grow, it is hurting the Sudanese people who work very hard, but just can’t compete with foreign workers. Because of the many new deals that Sudan has with foreign companies to refine the oil, Sudanese workers are being forced out of good living conditions and are being paid less than foreign workers. The foreign workers who have come to work in Sudan are earning more money and therefore are living in better places, which is causing “a growing resentment against the international community. The Sudanese feel that they are being driven out of their own land.” Many Sudanese hoped that by going to school and graduating from universities, they would be able to live a good life where they wanted, but because the foreign workers are driving up prices of living in good neighborhoods, the Sudanese workers can’t afford to live where they want. Hence, while the economy is booming, the cause of the boom, oil, is also causing problems for the Sudanese people.

 I have mixed feeling about this article. I think that it is great that Sudan’s economy is booming, as this should help the country grow. However, I am distressed because this oil boom is allowing foreign workers to drive up the prices of living space in desirable locations such as the central of Khartoum. I feel that if the economy is booming, the Sudanese people should be making more money than they are now. Also, with all the foreign aid and investment in Sudan, perhaps some of that money should be invested in making the entire city an nice place to live instead of just the central part and leaving the suburbs to rot. If investments go to everybody, everybody will benefit and will be happy with the international community, which is needed at this time now more than ever.

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