New Sudanese Ruling Body Sworn in

A new prime minister and a sovereign council have been sworn on Wednesday, 21 August 2019, marking a new era in Sudan, following nearly nine months of anti-government protests which forced the military removal of former President Omar Al Bashir.

Nominated by the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), economist Abdalla Hamdok has been sworn in as the new prime minister, leading the country’s transitional cabinet. Hamdok has 21 days to name a 20-member cabinet.

In addition, six civilian members of the sovereign council have been sworn in, including Ayesha Musa Saeed, Raja Nicola Issa Abdul-Masseh, Hassan Sheikh Idris Qadi, Al Siddiq Tawer Kafi, Mohammed Al Fekki Suleiman and Mohamed Osman Hassan Al Taayeshi. According to Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the 11th member, a civilian, will be sworn in at a later date. 

Consisting of six civilians and five military members, the sovereign council, which replaces the Transitional Military Council (TMC), will rule the country for three years and three months until elections are held in 2022. The council will oversee the formation of a government and a 300-member legislative body.

Head of the TMC, General Abdul Fattah Al Burhan, was also sworn in as the sovereign council’s chairman, leading the council for 21 months, after which a civilian leader appointed by the FFC will take over for the next 18 months. 

In addition to Al Burhan, the military members on the council are Deputy Head of the TMC, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), Yasser Abdul Rahman Al Atta, Ibrahim Jabir and Shams Al Din Kabashi.

The interior and defence ministers will be appointed by the military members of the sovereign council.

Sudan is set to appoint the country’s first female Chief of Justice, Nimaat Abdalla Mohamed Kheir.

Sudan is nearing the appointment of the first female chief justice in its history pic.twitter.com/mXXv22pXNJ

— Mohamed Alshafe محمد الشفيع البدوي (@wdalshafe) August 21, 2019

The new Chief of Justice in #Sudan, Nimaat Abdella Mohamed Kheir, first woman to take that job pic.twitter.com/LGqjzm3g5p

— Mohamed Kheir Omer (@mkheirom) August 21, 2019

The reactions

For the first time in the history of the country, two women were sworn in moments ago as members of #Sudan highest ruling body, the Sovereignty Council. One of the pair is a Coptic Christian which is also a first.

Ayesha Musa Saeed (left)

Raja Nicola Issa Abdul-Masseh (right) pic.twitter.com/uasgQOgEYf

— Wasil Ali – واصل علي (@wasilalitaha) August 21, 2019

#Sudan’s newly appointed PM Abdalla Hamdok has been sworn in. In his first presser after taking oath, the PM said the immediate focus of the transitional Govt would be ending civil wars. The SRF just hours before renewed their rejection to the agreement.#السودان_الاتفاق_السياسي pic.twitter.com/W923lhDNe3

— Hiba Morgan (@hiba_morgan) August 21, 2019

Another important milestone in #Sudan today with the dissolution of the Transitional Military Council, swearing in of the Soverign Council and expected appointment of the Prime Minister. Slowly, but surely, Sudan is moving towards making "madaniya" (civilian) a reality!

— Irfan Siddiq (@FCOIrfan) August 21, 2019

A member of #Sudan's new Sovereignty Council I'm optimistic about is Dr. Aisha Musa al-Saeed. A respected academic, writer and translator, I visited her home nearly 5 years ago where she allowed me to conduct research in her late husband's library, poet Muhammad Abd al-Hai pic.twitter.com/PkhRguSx8c

— Isma'il Kushkush (@ikushkush) August 21, 2019

#حكومه_حمدوك
النجاح ليس فقط في إختيار حمدوك لوزراء أكفاء، بل في إختيار الوزراء لوكلاء وزارات ناجحين، محرك عمل كل وزارة هو الوكيل وليس الوزير، إذا كان الوكيل تنفيذي منضبط سيأتي بحلول عملية تؤهل الوزارة للنجاح، ترشيح الوكلاء مسألة مهمة وصعبة وتحدي حقيقي.#تحديات_الفتره_الانتقاليه

— Mortada Mahjoub ‏ (@dr_mortada15) August 21, 2019