Sudan deal returns PM to his position

KHARTOUM－Nearly a month after a political crisis erupted in Sudan, General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed on Sunday a political declaration that includes the reinstatement of Hamdok in the role.

The deal, announced in a ceremony broadcast live on Sudanese state television, envisages an independent technocratic cabinet to be led by Hamdok until elections can be held.

Sudan has been suffering from a political crisis after al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct 25 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and cabinet. On Nov 11, al-Burhan issued a constitutional decree ordering the formation of a transitional Sovereign Council, and named himself chairman of the council.

Since then, the capital Khartoum and other cities have witnessed mass demonstrations rejecting the measures by the army commander. Doctors said at least 41 people have been killed during the demonstrations, according to The Associated Press. Hamdok has been held for weeks.

The declaration stipulated that the constitutional document would be the main reference for the transitional period. It also ensured broad political participation, except for the dissolved National Congress Party of ousted president Omar al-Bashir.

Partnership reiterated

The declaration reiterated that the partnership between the civilian and military components is the guarantor of Sudan's stability and security, assigning the Sovereign Council to the task of supervising the transitional period without interfering in the executive work of the government.

It also promised to investigate the killing and injuring of civilians and military personnel during the demonstrations and to complete the transitional institutions.

According to the declaration, the committee for dismantling al-Bashir's regime since 1989 will be brought back to work and its performance in the previous period will be reviewed. It also promised to release all political detainees and work to build a unified army.

At the signing ceremony of the declaration aired live by Sudan's official TV, Hamdok said the signing of the declaration opens the door wide on all issues of the transition.

"There are great challenges facing the political reality, but we have the ability to work together," he said.

Al-Burhan said the declaration "lays the correct foundations for the transitional period in a consensual manner".

The army has no intention to exclude any party in Sudan, said the military chief, vowing to work to complete the course of transition and reach free and fair elections.

Later on Sunday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said he welcomed the declaration signed in Khartoum.

The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry said on social media on Monday that the country also was pleased by the signing of the deal.

Western countries including the United States, Britain, Norway, Canada and Switzerland, as well as the European Union, welcomed the reinstatement of Hamdok.

Xinhua - Agencies