Sudan army chief says he supports PM Hamdok

The head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, yesterday said he supported the country’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, adding that the new cabinet appointments were made in coordination between both parties.

“The procedures and appointments which took place after the 21 November political agreement were made in coordination between me and Hamdok,” Al-Burhan announced during his meeting with the General Command of the Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum.

The transitional government, Al-Burhan pointed out, would consist of “non-partisan representatives.”

The Sudanese official called on the army officers “not to pay attention to rumours that target the unity of the security system.”

Sudan: one man shot dead, more than 300 injured in Sunday’s protests

Since 25 October, Sudan has been witnessing protests against measures taken by Al-Burhan including declaring a state of emergency, dissolving the sovereignty council, firing transitional ministers, dismissing Hamdok, and arresting political leaders and officials. The move was condemned by international governments, while some regarded it as a “military coup”.

A month later, Al-Burhan and Hamdok signed a political agreement that included the latter’s return to his post as prime minister, the formation of a government, the release of political detainees, as well as joint efforts by both leaders to complete a democratic path.

Protests have, however, continued as calls for civilian rule and the end of military involvement in government remain ongoing.