Sudan’s Bashir to form new government to address local issues

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir yesterday called for forming a new government “capable of tackling local issues and meeting citizens’ needs.”

Bashir’s decision came in a meeting with the Sudanese Prime Minister, Mohamed Tahir Ayala, during which they mulled the matter.

According to a statement by the Sudanese presidency, Bashir and Ayala’s meeting also discussed “establishing a dialogue with different political parties.”

During the meeting, Ayala pointed out that said that he had been in contact with a number of the country’s governors to ensure access and availability of essential goods to the Sudanese people. “We also discussed improving citizens’ direct services,” he added.

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“President Bashir and I discussed the provision of the agricultural inputs, duties and customs on basic goods, and purchase of local wheat to meet 40 per cent of the country’s demand,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

Ayala was appointed as Sudan’s Prime Minister on Saturday, replacing his predecessor Motaz Moussa.

Nearly-daily protests have spread across Sudan since 19 December. Price increases and cash shortages triggered the demonstrations but developed into protests against President Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade rule.

Activists say nearly 60 people have been killed in the protests, while the official death toll is 32, including three security personnel.

Protests in Sudan – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]