Sudan swears in transitional ruling body

In a step toward civilian rule in Sudan, a new ruling body was sworn in on Wednesday in Khartoum for a three-year transitional period. The 11-member Sovereign Council is to govern while preparing the country for elections.

The council is now headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has been head of Sudan's military council. He will lead for the first 21 months of the 39-month transition period, then hand over power to a civilian leader appointed by the opposition movement for the remaining months.

The council includes five soldiers and six civilians who were named by the opposition including a journalist and a woman. A Coptic Christian judge is also part of the team.

Adballa Hamdok, who has been a senior economist for the United Nations, is serving as transitional prime minister. He was expected to name a 20-member cabinet, excluding the defense and interior ministers, within the next 21 days.

The sovereign council's inauguration comes days after the ruling military, Transitional Military Council, and the Forces of Freedom and Change, the umbrella organization representing the protesters signed the final power-sharing deal.

The ruling council is expected to push for removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. Dating from 1993, that listing has meant Sudan was ineligible for debt relief and financing from International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The new ruling body is expected to request the African Unon to lift its June 2019 suspension following the military government's violent attacks on protesters.

The Troika countries-the United Kingdom, United States and Norway-said Sudan has a unique opportunity to establish peace within its borders, draft a constitution that enshrines human rights protections and create the infrastructure for free and fair elections.

Their statement congratulated Hamdok on his appointment: "As the prime minister, Hamdok begins the process of selecting ministers and identifying the government's priorities, we look forward to working with Sudan's new institutions," the statement read.

Cavince Adhere, Africa's international relations scholar based in Nairobi, Kenya, termed the inauguration of the Sovereign Council as a huge relief to the country's citizens, adding that the country has faced deep tensions and fragilities since ouster of president Omar al-Bashir in April.

He said the Council has an onerous task to steer Sudan back to the path of political stability, economic viability and accountable government that is responsive to the needs of the citizens.

"The Council should use the interim period wisely to avoid the repeat of lawlessness, economic dilapidation and high handedness by the government," he said.

Adhere said the road ahead will be bumpy for the council, noting that the Sudanese are hungry and eager for quick fixes that can lead to better healthcare, education, and functional economy for all.

"There are competing interests that require appropriate management for meaningful gains to be realized during the transitional period," he said.

To succeed, Adhere said the council should galvanize the voices of all Sudanese people including women, youth and professionals who whose efforts led to the toppling of Bashir.