Sudanese PM thanks partners, unveils upcoming foreign policy

CAIRO - 25 August 2019: Sudanese Prime Minister Abdulah Hamduk expressed his gratitude for all partners who helped his country defuse its recent critical situation and reach a political deal to form the institutions of the transitional rule.

Those include the African Union (AU), Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, Chad, the European Union (EU), the United States, and other neighboring countries in the south, as reported by El Masry El Youm.

The statements of Hamduk came during his first TV interview since he took up the post earlier this week with Sudanese 24 channel. Hamduk is an economist who worked for the ILO, AfDB, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). He served as minister of finance in the 1980s and his cabinet will begin work on September 1.

The Sudanese prime minister affirmed that his country would create a balanced foreign policy that preserves its interests during the transitional period saying, “we aspire to achieve a regional cooperation that gets Sudan out of isolation and sanctions...Sudan has grown tolerant towards itself and the regional and international spheres. The foreign policy will play a role in conveying an image of Sudan that is different from that it had over the past 30 years.”

Hamduk added, “We want to be part of the international system and the foreign policy shall play a big role in attracting resources and investments.” The Sudanese prime minister asserted that his country can contribute along with regional states to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.

“If we sensibly manage regional relations, we can benefit from the outstanding geographical location of Sudan as currently all super powers are present in the Red Sea. Our location qualifies us to play a pioneering role in the region,” Hamduk said.

The Sudanese prime minister added, “The foreign policy will be subject to mutual interests…In that way, we would be able to manage the complications of the foreign policy. We will deal with friends and partners without getting dictations.”

On August 17, a deal was signed by the Sudanese Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces of Freedom and Change alliance (FFC) to pave the way for civilian rule. The signing ceremony was attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The alliance had previously called for the end of ousted President Omar al-Bashir’s regime. The main opposition alliance and the TMC have initiated the draft of the Sudan’s Constitution Declaration on August 4.

Since the ouster of former President Bashir on April 11, 2019, the interim military council has ruled the country, saying that its rule could last for 2 years until a new democratic government will be elected.

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General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the outgoing head of Sudan’s military council, was sworn in as head of the newly-formed Sovereign Council before the country’s chief judge, euronews reported Wednesday.

The remaining 10 members of the Sovereign Council were sworn in later on the same day. On Tuesday, Sudan completed the formation of the 11-member sovereign council which will run the country for a three-year transitional period until elections.