The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok agreed on the names of at least 10 members of Sudan’s future transitional government, almost a week after the date initially planned for the announcement of the cabinet.
“Ongoing consultations between the PM and the FFC reached a final agreement over the names of more than 10 ministers out of the 20-member government,” the sources said.
They predicted that the concerned parties should conclude the cabinet lineup in the next hours, describing the ongoing consultations as “positive and proceeding smoothly.”
Insider sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that Hamdok suggested five other candidates, whom the FFC should consider before informing the PM about their final answer.
Hamdok was inaugurated on August 21 to announce the composition of his new government, one of the main stages of the post Bashir transition in the country.
Also, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Hamdok rejected the candidacy of Ibtissam al-Sanhouri for the Justice Ministry and the candidacy of Madani Abbas Madani for the portfolio of government affairs ministry.
The two candidates are widely backed by the FFC.
The development could lead to a disagreement with the FFC on the other candidates suggested by Hamdok.
Another source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PM proposed diplomat Omar Bashir Manis to head the government affairs ministry and Dr. Mohammed Abdul Salam for the Justice Ministry as a replacement for Sanhouri and Madani.
Meanwhile, prominent FFC member, Ayman Khalid told reporters on Monday that the government lineup should be announced in a week.
The new cabinet was expected to be unveiled on Saturday and sworn in on September 1, but several difficulties, such as FFC inner differences, obstructed politicians from making the deadline.
