Hamdok: We Want to Ensure the Success of Democratic Transition

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (File photo: Reuters)
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (File photo: Reuters)
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Hamdok: We Want to Ensure the Success of Democratic Transition

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (File photo: Reuters)
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (File photo: Reuters)

Sudan should not meet the fate of many regional countries that faced difficulties and challenges during their transition, leading to their collapse, said Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok.

Speaking at the first meeting of the national mechanism to implement the "National Crisis and Transition Issues - The Way Forward" initiative, Hamdok called on the Sudanese people to ensure the success of the transitional period and its goals.

The PM said that he did not hold clear or direct consultations with the military. However, they are aware of all the initiative developments, indicating that he met the Head of Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohammad 'Hemdeti' Hamdan.

The meeting addressed the tasks of the initiative, and they asserted the need to include issues of democratic transition.

Hamdok asserted that dialogue and consultation with the military component would continue because its role is vital to complete the transition and agree on the axes of the initiative, not just security and military reform.

The Prime Minister stressed that the mechanism for implementing the initiative is temporary to accomplish specific tasks within two months.

He called on the Sudanese to maintain "the unique Sudanese experience towards democratic transition."

Sudan's comprehensive national crisis is political, said Hamdok, reiterating that Sudan "will not succeed in moving from this stage to democratic civil rule unless it confronts these issues with courage and clarity."

He said that the initiative's main objective is to unite the forces of the revolution to support and accomplish the transition.

For his part, the head of the mechanism, Fadlallah Barama Nasser, said that the national initiative comes at a critical stage.

Nasser indicated that the mechanism is the last chance and a lifeline to ensure the country doesn't slip into chaos.

Nasser, who is also the designated head of the National Umma Party, stressed that the mechanism would include opinions vital for its implementation, tasks, and chances of success.

He said: "We have less than 60 days to accomplish a great task," adding that "it is a difficult task, but not impossible."

The National Mechanism includes 71 members from leaders of political parties, indigenous administrations, Sufi orders, and civil society organizations.

It calls for extensive dialogue and discussions to achieve the most significant degree of consensus among Sudanese components on construction and democratic transition issues.



US Sanctions Extremist West Bank Settler Group for Violence against Palestinians

An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
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US Sanctions Extremist West Bank Settler Group for Violence against Palestinians

An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)

The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Hilltop Youth, a group of extremist settlers in the Israeli -occupied West Bank who attack Palestinians and their property.

In addition, the State Department placed diplomatic sanctions on two men—Israeli settler Eitan Yardeni, for his connection to violence targeting West Bank civilians and Avichai Suissa, the leader of Hashomer Yosh, a sanctioned group that brings young volunteers to settler farms across the territory, including small farming outposts that rights groups say are the primary drivers of settler violence across the territory.

The sanctions, which expose people to asset freezes and travel and visa bans, come as violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has exploded since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, following the deadly terrorist attacks of October 7th.

Palestinians report verbal and physical harassment, restriction of movement, and face intimidation by settlers circling their properties on motorbikes, cars or horses and spying via drones.

The Treasury Department said Hilltop Youth has carried out killings and mass arson, while rights groups and Palestinians say the group is behind “price tag” attacks – attacks on Palestinian villages in retaliation for perceived efforts to hamper settlement construction.

The group may prove difficult to effectively sanction, as it is loosely organized and decentralized. In addition, Israel’s finance minister has previously vowed to intervene on sanctioned settlers’ behalf.

In the past, sanctioned settlers have told the AP that the measures have had little impact on their finances.

Hilltop Youth has already faced sanctions from the EU and UK.

The Biden administration has been criticized for imposing relatively few sanctions on Israeli extremists. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, 27 extremists and entities have been sanctioned by the US under President Joe Biden ’s February 2024 Executive Order related to maintaining West Bank stability.

The Treasury's Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith said that the US “will continue to hold accountable the individuals, groups, and organizations that facilitate these hateful and destabilizing acts.”

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said “the actions of these individuals have contributed to creating an environment where violence and instability thrive. Their actions, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.”