Sudan Cabinet Reshuffle Expected to Calm Angry Protests

Civilians participate in a massive demonstration in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Civilians participate in a massive demonstration in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
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Sudan Cabinet Reshuffle Expected to Calm Angry Protests

Civilians participate in a massive demonstration in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Civilians participate in a massive demonstration in Khartoum, Sudan June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is expected to make a cabinet reshuffle to calm angry protesters who have taken to the streets since June 30.

Senior sources in the transitional government told Asharq Al-Awsat that the upcoming changes, which they expected to take place swiftly, would affect political and service ministries.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said that the cabinet reshuffle would come in response to protester demands, especially calls for improving the government’s performance in dealing with crises.

Hamdok had promised critical measures during the transitional period, which he said would have political, economic and social implications.

Some observers expect the reshuffle to take place after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed struggle movements, noting an important convergence of views between the two sides.

The same sources revealed that the cabinet rejected a request by Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Badawi to float the Sudanese pound.

Meanwhile, four of the military rulers for the areas of the Red Sea, East Darfur, North and West Darfur, submitted their resignations on Thursday, in protest against repetitive calls by the people to oust them over poor living conditions and deteriorating security.

Those areas are known to be controlled by figures who supported the former Sudanese regime.



Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday offered to let Hamas leaders leave Gaza but demanded the group abandon its arms, as his country kept up its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.

Gaza's civil defense agency said an Israeli air strike on a house and tent sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least eight people, including five children.

The strike in Khan Yunis came in the morning on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Israel resumed intense bombing of the Palestinian territory on March 18 and then launched a new ground offensive, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire in the war with Hamas.

Netanyahu rejected criticism that his government was not engaging in negotiations aimed at releasing hostages held in Gaza, insisting the renewed military pressure on Hamas was proving effective.

"We are negotiating under fire... We can see cracks beginning to appear" in Hamas's positions, the Israeli leader told a cabinet meeting.

In the "final stage", Netanyahu said that "Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave".

"The military pressure is working," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"The combination of military pressure and diplomatic pressure is the only thing that has brought the hostages back."

Hamas has expressed a willingness to relinquish Gaza's administration, but has warned its weapons are a "red line".

Egypt, Qatar and the United States are attempting to again broker a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

A senior Hamas official stated on Saturday that the group had approved a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators and urged Israel to support it.

Netanyahu's office confirmed receipt of the proposal and stated that Israel had submitted a counterproposal in response.

However, the details of the latest mediation efforts remain undisclosed.