Sudan’s New PM to Visit Juba

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok chaired on Tuesday the first cabinet session since coming into office last month, listing ten priorities in the 200 days of the transition into civilian rule.

Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Saleh confirmed that the priorities included stopping war and building a just and comprehensive peace, tackling the economic crisis, repealing laws restricting freedoms, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, achieving transitional justice, forming an independent commission to investigate crimes, combating corruption, strengthening the role of women and youth, restructuring the state, and building balanced foreign relations.

“It was agreed to establish a balanced foreign policy based on the independence of Sudan and taking into account the common interests,” Saleh told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

“There was also serious discussion on the issue of ensuring the promotion of women's rights, taking measures to ensure their effective participation, and reforming of state apparatuses,” he added.

As for the African state’s centralization, Saleh said that ties between regional authorities and the central administration will also be revised alongside other proposed governance structures.

Saleh revealed that Hamdok will travel to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, this week, his first official overseas trip since becoming premier after the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir.

South Sudan had split from the north in 2011. The two countries have yet to resolve some pending border disputes and trade concerns after the bulk of oil earnings of erstwhile Sudan went to South Sudan following the split.

“He (Hamdok) will be accompanied by a delegation including the ministers of interior, foreign affairs, energy and mining, and commerce and industry,” Saleh told reporters, adding that the two-day visit is to emphasize the close relations between Sudan and South Sudan.

Sudan's transitional government has made peacemaking with rebels in Juba and elsewhere one of its main priorities as it is a key condition for the country's removal from the US sponsors of terrorism list.