New Sudan government sworn in amid protests over economy

Sudanese struggle with high cost of living after decades of economic sanctions and mismanagement

A Sudanese man wearing a face mask waves his country's national flag during protests in the capital Khartoum to mark the second anniversary of the start of a revolt that toppled the previous government, on December 19, 2020. AFPShow less

Sudan's new Cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday with ministers from rebel groups included as part of a deal that transitional authorities struck last year with a rebel alliance.

The swearing-in ceremony took place amid violent protests in several cities over the high cost of living and decimated Sudanese economy.

The new Cabinet includes rebel leaders and has been tasked with fixing an economy ravaged by decades of US sanctions, mismanagement and civil war under ousted president Omar Al Bashir.

It also faces breathtaking inflation, chronic hard currency shortages and a flourishing black market.

On Tuesday, demonstrators in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, hurled stones at police and set several shops on fire in the main market, an AFP correspondent there said.

"No to high prices, no to hunger," they chanted, as police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Authorities in South Darfur imposed a 12-hour night-time curfew starting from 6pm.

Sudan has been undergoing a rocky transition since the April 2019 toppling of Al Bashir following mass protests against his rule, triggered by economic hardships including a hike in bread prices.

Sudan's new cabinet was sworn in on February 10, 2021 and includes seven former rebel chiefs as ministers. AFP

On Monday, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok named a new team that includes rebel leader and economist Gibril Ibrahim as finance minister.

Mr Ibrahim vowed on Twitter: "We promise not to sleep until we end bread and fuel queues, and to make life-saving medications available at reasonable prices."

Mr Hamdok spoke by phone on Tuesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who voiced support for the transitional government.

Mr Hamdok tweeted that the US was committed supporting lasting peace and democracy in Sudan and "helping us push our economic relations to new frontiers".

Mr Blinken and Mr Hamdok "discussed ways to promote economic reform and development, while also implementing recent peace agreements and addressing the root causes of violence in Darfur", the State Department said.

The US late last year rescinded Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, a legacy from Al Bashir's rule that severely impeded investment.

Former president Donald Trump went ahead after Sudanese leaders told him that they would normalise relations with Israel, a major cause for the US.

State news agency SUNA said the latest demonstrations were sparked by sharp increases in the cost of main ingredients for making bread.

In Port Sudan on the Red Sea, student-led protests prompted the suspension of schools and closure of several shops, SUNA said.

Police seized weapons and ammunition from the protesters in Nyala, the main city of South Darfur province, SUNA quoted the provincial governor as saying.

"Police forces dispersed the protests and riots in Nyala after demonstrators attempted to storm shops in the city's market," SUNA said.

Similar demonstrations were held in other regions, including North Kordofan, according to SUNA and videos posted online.

Some footage, which could not immediately be verified, showed demonstrators in Al Obeid, the state capital, lugging sacks of wheat apparently looted from bakeries.

Protests over economic hardships have also been staged in recent weeks in the capital Khartoum and the eastern state of Gedaref, considered Sudan's breadbasket, with looting and robberies reported.