Sudan bans imports of many goods as crisis looms

Sudan banned the import of many types of goods including furniture, animals and food products on Sunday in the latest move to address its trade deficit and foreign currency shortages as the oil-producing south looks to secede.
Analysts blame government over-spending, increased debt and a neglect of core industry and agriculture for Sudan's growing economic crisis as inflation soars and the Sudanese pound weakens.
Last week Khartoum cut subsidies on all petroleum products and sugar, adding it would eventually remove all support. Sudan produces some 500,000 barrels per day of oil, most of which comes from the south where voting began on Sunday on independence from the north which it has fought for decades.