Sudan’s Newly Appointed Prime Minister Sworn In
Kamil Idris officially assumed office as Sudan's new prime minister on Saturday, taking the oath before Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the country's Transitional Sovereign Council, according to a statement from the council, as reported by Xinhua.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Burhan along with other council members convened with Idris to deliberate on governmental priorities. The discussions focused on stabilizing the economy, safeguarding civilian livelihoods, and reinstating order throughout the nation, according to the statement.
Idris’s appointment was officially confirmed on May 19 through a constitutional decree by Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces. This decision has been endorsed by the United Nations, the African Union Commission, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The position of prime minister has been unoccupied since Abdalla Hamdok’s resignation in January 2022, subsequent to a military coup executed by Burhan in October 2021. Hamdok, along with other civilian leaders, faced temporary detention before their reinstatement through a brief power-sharing arrangement. Hamdok resigned weeks afterward, cautioning that Sudan was facing a “dangerous turning point” amidst widespread protests against the military government.
Idris, a holder of a doctorate in international law, has a distinguished career history, having previously held the positions of Director General at the World Intellectual Property Organization and Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants.
Sudan continues to face a severe conflict as hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces persist, having ignited in April 2023. The violence has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced millions, both within the nation and across its borders, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
