President Bashir says he wants to aid development with an increased population

"We should achieve this aim by having many wives," he said.

Sudan's current population is about 30 million.

The Sudanese should ignore international family planning policies, the president said in a speech to the ruling National Congress Party, shown on Tuesday night.

Men in this mainly Muslim country are allowed up to four wives, according to Islamic Sharia law.

Rebels opposed to Sharia law - which the Bashir government promotes - have been fighting for autonomy since 1983.