Sudan: Key opposition figure Sadiq al-Mahdi steps down

By Behram Abdel Monem

KHARTOUM (AA) - Prominent Sudanese opposition figure Sadiq al-Mahdi on Wednesday resigned from the Nidaa Al-Sudan coalition, one of the major groups of opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition.

After his resignation, Mahdi called on the coalition to organize an urgent meeting to review the situation and the structure of the coalition.

"The current stage requires a review of positions, including the structure of Nidaa al-Sudan and its alliances with other national powers," Mahdi said.

"I hope that we meet as soon as possible to discuss the new structure and the options available now," he added.

Nidaa al-Sudan is an umbrella of political parties including the National Umma Party, the National Congress Party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement.

Mahdi returned to Sudan last year ending his self-imposed exile. Until a few days ago, he was the last democratically elected prime minister of Sudan.

On Aug. 21, Abdullah Hamdok became the first civilian prime minister of Sudan since 1989, when ousted President Omer al-Bashir toppled Mahdi.

The country is being ruled under a power-sharing deal between Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition FFC coalition.

Bashir was removed from power by the military in April after months of protests against his 30-year rule.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara