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SUDAN-POLITICS
Sudan PM to announce new cabinet ‘within 48 hours’
KHARTOUM, Sept 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Sudan’s new premier will unveil the
first cabinet since veteran leader Omar al-Bashir’s overthrow within 48
hours, the country’s ruling body said Tuesday, after the transition process
was hit by delays.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a seasoned UN economist who took up the job
last month, was supposed to announce a cabinet on Wednesday of last week
under a post-Bashir roadmap.
But the announcement was postponed as he mulled the nominees proposed by
the umbrella movement which led months-long protests against Bashir and the
generals who ousted him in April.
Last Tuesday, Hamdok received a list of candidates including 49 nominees
for 14 ministries.
“The cabinet announcement will be made within a maximum of 48 hours,”
Sudan’s sovereign council said in a statement.
The joint civilian-military ruling body held talks with Hamdok on Tuesday
about the reasons for the delay.
The premier explained it “is because he wants to form a government that is
more representative of states across Sudan,” the council said.
Hamdok also wished to ensure “gender balance”, it added.
The meeting with Hamdok also tackled the issue of forming a commission
tasked with peace talks with armed groups.
On August 17, the Forces for Freedom and Change protest movement and the
generals officially signed a power-sharing deal outlining their vision for
Sudan’s three-years transitional period.
It included forging peace with insurgent groups in the country’s far-flung
regions within six months.
Hamdok has vowed to “end war and bring about sustainable peace” in Sudan.
Rebel groups from marginalised regions including Darfur, Blue Nile and
South Kordofan state waged long wars against Bashir’s forces.
On Saturday, four rebel groups from Darfur said they will be “negotiating
with transitional authorities with a unified vision,” without elaborating.
In its statement, the council said it will hold further talks with Hamdok
on Wednesday.
The postponement of the cabinet announcement was not the first delay in
Sudan’s transition from decades of authoritarianism.
The line-up of the 11-member sovereign council was held up for two days
over differences within the opposition camp, before it was finally revealed
on August 21.
BSS/AFP/RY/10:20 hrs