Troika, EU reject idea of appointing new Sudanese prime minister
The Troika, comprising Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, have said it will reject any attempt to appoint a replacement for former Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdallah Hamdok, without due process involving civilians.
The Troika vowed to continue supporting the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
On Monday, Sudan’s Head of Sovereign Council and Army Commander-in-Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, told Sudan’s national media in Khartoum that a new prime minister needed to be appointed quickly because Hamdok had stepped down.
He said a government of technocrats with a specific task must be formed, and it should be agreed upon by all Sudanese in this critical situation.
In a press statement released by the Troika and seen by The City Review yesterday, the international body said the idea of appointing a new prime minister and cabinet would weaken the credibility of those key institutions in the government and could take the nation into war.
It stated that in order to avoid a potential catastrophe such as war, Sudanese stakeholders should commit to a dialogue that includes marginalised groups such as youth and women and that will help put the country back on the path to democracy.
“We look forward to working with a government and a transitional parliament that enjoys credibility with the Sudanese people and can lead the country to free and fair elections as a priority. This will be necessary to facilitate the Troika and the European Union’s provision of economic assistance to Sudan, ” the statement read in part.
They said as they continue supporting the democratic transition in Sudan, the stakeholders need to work based on the 2019 Constitutional Declaration on how to overcome the nation’s current political crisis, by selecting new civilian leadership and identifying clear timelines and processes for the remaining transitional tasks.
Way forward
They said that Hamdok played a major role in leading Sudan’s democratic and economic reforms. Furthermore, they added that his resignation as Sudanese Prime Minister, just two months after the military’s unconstitutional seizure of power, now brings the need to recommit to the country’s democratic transition.
They called on the leaders to deliver on the Sudanese people’s demands for freedom, peace, and justice.
The Troika further stated that in this critical situation, the partners will continue to hold the military leadership responsible for human rights violations that are against current national legislation and international law.
“The right of the Sudanese people to assemble peacefully and express their demands needs to be protected. We expect the security services and other armed groups to refrain from using further violence against peaceful protestors and civilians across the country, especially in Darfur. “
On Monday, a civil society activist appealed to President Salva Kiir to intervene and address the political turmoil in Sudan. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), called for the swift intervention of the UN to help the Sudanese government in the transitional replacement of Dr Hamdok.
Yakani stressed the importance of a smooth transition in Sudan, saying it is a guarantee for peace in South Sudan.
