Egyptian Experts to Sudanhorizon: Appointment of a Civilian Prime Minister is an Important Step and a Positive Direction

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

The decision to appoint a civilian prime minister in Sudan came after a long wait, a step that some considered crucial at this precise juncture for the country, while others viewed it through the lens of the new prime minister’s personality—a figure who has sparked both agreement and disagreement among many.
Requirements of the Phase
This move followed the appointment of Ambassador Dafallah Al-Haj Ali as Minister of Cabinet Affairs, tasked with carrying out the duties of the prime minister. However, before he could assume his responsibilities, the decision was altered, appointing Dr. Kamal Idris as prime minister with full powers. The reason appears to be the necessity of having a fully empowered prime minister to address the demands of the current phase.
A New Phase
The appointment of a prime minister was followed by other decisions, including the appointment of new members to the Sovereignty Council and the termination of the council members’ assignments to ministries. This reinforces the notion that the country is entering a new phase—one that the decision-maker may have delayed in initiating, yet it carries numerous internal and external messages. It could contribute to addressing Sudan’s domestic challenges, which primarily concern its citizens, especially with the large-scale return of Sudanese to their homeland after the military liberated many cities and states. Providing services to the people is now a pressing challenge—one that is not easy and requires a highly competent government.

Additionally, this step addresses the demands of the international and regional community, facilitating communication with them. It may even help lift Sudan’s suspension from the African Union. Undoubtedly, lifting this suspension is a crucial step that must be achieved to close the door on any claims that Sudan’s government is illegitimate. This may be the top priority for the new prime minister and his government, who must follow it with serious steps in engaging with the international and regional community to politically and diplomatically contain the crisis in Sudan—while the military focuses on continuing its victories on the battlefield.
A Significant Step
Just as the decision to appoint a civilian prime minister in Sudan is important for the country’s internal affairs, it also holds significance for external actors, with implications for neighboring and regional states. Given that Egypt is Sudan’s closest neighbor and deeply invested in its security, stability, and unity, we sought the opinions of several Egyptian experts on Sudanese affairs regarding this decision.

Hussein Eissa, former Assistant Foreign Minister and head of Sudan affairs at Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, affirmed that appointing a civilian prime minister in Sudan is a crucial step toward completing transitional institutions and filling the void with a prime minister who has executive powers. Speaking to Sudanhorizon, Eissa stated that this step came at the right time, especially with reconstruction efforts underway and the return of displaced persons and refugees to areas liberated by the military. He added that the new prime minister is a technocrat known for his openness to the world and is expected to play a role in reconstruction, which will require significant effort in the coming phase.
Alleviating Suffering
Eissa, Egypt’s former ambassador to Khartoum, viewed this appointment as a message from the Sudanese Armed Forces to the world that they do not seek power and are committed to handing it over. He pointed to the disagreements among political and civilian forces that have prevented the appointment of a consensual prime minister, stating that Sudan’s current security, economic, and social conditions necessitated this method of appointment. He considered the new prime minister a temporary figure addressing the demands of the phase, after which the transitional process could resume.

He questioned how consensus could be achieved among Sudan’s diverse factions, noting that this issue has remained difficult since before the war until now. He added that such consensus seems impossible under current circumstances, with some parties attempting to form a parallel government. He asked whether leaving this critical position vacant until political and civilian forces agree was a viable solution, asserting that it was not. Instead, appointing a new prime minister is essential to assume responsibilities, especially with citizens returning and the urgent need to provide them with livelihoods and services.

With the military’s continued victories and expansion into new cities, preparations for this phase are imperative. He described this as a positive step toward supporting government efforts in alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, who have endured immense hardship.
Facing Challenges
The former Egyptian ambassador stressed the need for consensus on this step to address the challenges facing Sudanese citizens in terms of security, reconstruction, and the social repercussions of the war. He expressed his belief that lifting Sudan’s suspension from the African Union would not happen immediately after this decision. However, Egypt’s stance is clear in advocating for this suspension to be lifted, and it is making significant diplomatic efforts to achieve this.
Filling the Void
Salah Halima, former Deputy Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, viewed this as a step to fill a void concerning state affairs, both domestically and internationally. Speaking to Sudanhorizon, Halima noted that Sudan has lacked an effective government for years. He added that having an active government to manage this phase could set many things in motion, particularly in the context of political dialogue. He called for a political process to form this government, stressing the need for Sudanese stakeholders to agree on establishing a temporary government of competent figures without partisan quotas.

He emphasized the necessity of consensus in selecting the prime minister, stating that this agreement should not involve political groups with military ties, such as the Forces of Freedom and Change (which serve as a political umbrella for the Rapid Support Forces) or any political factions representing the military, including Islamist elements.
A Positive Step
Ambassador Halima considered this move reasonably positive, stating that having a government with a prime minister who operates both internally and externally is a positive direction that can be further refined through Sudanese consensus. He noted the African Union’s flexible stance toward Sudan, as seen at the Arab Summit in Baghdad, adding that such a direction would depend on the support provided by African nations and Sudan’s neighboring countries.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=5690