AUC chief welcomes appointment of civilian prime minister in Sudan

ADDIS ABABA - African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of Kamil Idris as Sudan's new prime minister, describing it as a step toward inclusive governance in the conflict-ridden country.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Youssouf said the appointment "will contribute meaningfully to ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order and democratic governance in Sudan".

The move follows a constitutional decree issued Monday by Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, officially naming Idris to the post.

Reiterating the AU's readiness to support Sudan's political transition, Youssouf called on all Sudanese stakeholders to redouble their efforts toward a peaceful, civilian-led, and inclusive process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

The chairperson of the 55-member continental organization also underscored the AU's "firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and stability of Sudan and to the pursuit of a durable political solution that secures peace, development, and democratic governance for all Sudanese".

Idris's appointment comes nearly three weeks after al-Burhan named Dafallah al-Haj Ali as acting prime minister and cabinet affairs minister. The position has been vacant since civilian leader Abdalla Hamdok resigned in January 2022 following a military coup led by Al-Burhan in October 2021.

Idris, a legal expert, previously served as director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization and secretary-general of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants.