Failing To Restore Civil Government, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok Chooses To Resign

JAKARTA - Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said on Sunday he was stepping down, six weeks after returning to his post in a deal with military coup leaders, which he said could save the transition to democracy.

Hamdok, who failed to name the government as protests continued against the military takeover in October, said roundtable discussions were needed to produce a new agreement for Sudan's political transition.

"I have decided to return the responsibility and announce my resignation as prime minister, and give another man or woman a chance from this glorious country, to help him through what is left of the transition to a civil democracy," Hamdok said in a speech on television, citing Reuters January 3.

The announcement plunged Sudan's political future into deep uncertainty, three years after the uprising that led to the ouster of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.

An economist and former UN official widely respected by the international community, Hamdok became prime minister under a power-sharing agreement between the military and civilians following Bashir's ouster.

Deposed and placed under house arrest by the military during a coup on October 25, he was reappointed in November.

However, the deal for his return has been criticized by many in the civilian coalition that previously supported him and protesters who continue to hold mass demonstrations against military rule.

In the latest demonstration on Sunday, hours before Hamdok's speech, security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators in Khartoum as protesters marched towards the presidential palace.

To note, at least two people have died, bringing to 56 the death toll in protests since the October 25 coup, said a committee of doctors allied to the protest movement.

Among the economic reforms Hamdok oversees are the removal of expensive fuel subsidies and a sharp devaluation of the currency. That would allow Sudan to qualify for at least $56 billion in relief from foreign debt, though the coup put a debt reduction deal in doubt and froze broad Western economic support for Sudan.

Upon his return as prime minister in November, Hamdok said he wanted to maintain the economic measures taken by the transitional government, stopping the bloodshed after the rising toll from the crackdown on protests.