Thursday, August 22, 2019

Rep. Bass Statement on the Swearing-in of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok







US House Rep Karen Bass's office released the following:

     
August 21, 2019
Press Release

LOS ANGELES – Today, Rep. Karen Bass, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa issued the following statement after Abdalla Hamdok was sworn in as Prime Minister of Sudan.


“I am encouraged by the signing of a political agreement and Constitutional Declaration between the Transitional Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change. By swearing-in Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the members of the sovereign council, Sudan is one step closer to a civilian-led government. The country is taking positive steps forward by having six civilians on the 11-person council including two women.

“It is crucial that the 20-member cabinet of interior and defense ministers are also represented by all people of Sudan.  There are many challenges ahead in Sudan including an economic crisis resulting in the inability to pay for necessities such as bread and fuel. There have been too many civilian casualties since December, and it is critical that the African Union help provide technical support into an investigation against those responsible.

“There is still a long road ahead to democracy, but this is the first step for the people of Sudan to pave their own way to a government ruled by the people."