Sudanese PM sworn in for first time in 28 years

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Bakri Hassan Salih was sworn in on Thursday as Sudan’s first prime minister in 28 years.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Salih -- who also serves as President Omar al-Bashir’s first vice-president -- vowed to carry out recommendations made within the context of national dialogue initiative between the government and the country’s political opposition.

Salih went on to stress that he had a “new vision” for resolving Sudan’s ongoing political and economic crises.

The two-year-long national dialogue initiative wrapped up last December by calling for sweeping political and economic reforms, including the creation of a prime ministerial post following a 28-year hiatus.

It also called for resolving conflicts in Sudan’s troubled Darfur, South and Blue Nile regions, and for the establishment of a broad transitional government.

-Constitutional post

Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud told reporters earlier Thursday that Salih had been chosen for the post of prime minister at a Wednesday leadership meeting of al-Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party.

“Chaired by President al-Bashir, the party leadership meeting approved Salih’s nomination as prime minister and the retention of his first vice-presidential post,” Mahmoud said.

“He will maintain his post as first vice-president, as this does not conflict with the constitution,” he added.

“We are optimistic that his appointment will usher in a new political era in line with the national dialogue, especially in light of the current harmony between Sudan’s political parties,” Mahmoud asserted.

He went on to note that, after taking the oath of office, Salih would hold broad consultations before unveiling his cabinet lineup.

Born in 1949 in Sudan’s northern Mashoo region, Salih is seen as a close confidante of the president and the only person to have remained in government since the 1989 military coup -- which he supported -- that brought al-Bashir to power.

He has held a number of senior government posts, including intelligence chief; presidential advisor for security; interior minister; defense minister; and minister for presidential affairs.

In 2013, he was made first vice-president, replacing Osman Mohamed Taha.