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Sudan's army appoints first PM since start of civil war in 2023
Sudan's army chief on Monday appointed the country's first prime minister since it plunged into civil war two years ago and following months of steady advances by the military against its paramilitary rival. read more
Sudan's army chief on Monday appointed Kamil al-Taib Idris as the country's first prime minister since civil war erupted in April 2023, marking a significant political step amid military gains against the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Idris has been tasked with forming a transitional government, a move long signaled by military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, particularly following the army's recapture of Khartoum in March and the RSF's ouster from the capital.
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The devastating conflict between Sudan's military and the RSF has killed at least 20,000 people, though the actual toll is believed to be far higher. The war has displaced nearly 13 million people, including 4 million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. With half of Sudan's 50 million population facing acute hunger, humanitarian conditions remain dire.
The last prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, resigned in 2022 during a political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests.
Journalist and political analyst Osman Mirghani said that appointing Idris marks an important step toward restoring civilian-led rule and addressing Sudan's political crisis.
'His chances of being accepted by various communities of the Sudanese society seems higher, even among those who support the RSF, because he has no political affiliations,' he said.
The RSF and its allies signed a charter in February in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, to establish a parallel government. The charter calls for 'a secular, democratic and decentralized state,' in a nod to growing calls by Sudan's many communities for autonomy from Khartoum.
Idris had previously worked as Sudan's legal adviser at its U.N. mission and is a member of the U.N. International Law Commission, according to his social media profile.
With inputs from agencies
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