Sudan’s Bashir to appoint PM

By Mohamed al-Khatam

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has proposed constitutional reforms that would include the appointment of a prime minister.

State Minister al-Rashid Haroun said Wednesday the proposed amendments “are in line with the outcomes of national dialogue” in Sudan.

Parliament Speaker Ibrahim Ahmed said a panel will be formed to discuss the proposed constitutional changes.

“The panel will finish its work within two months,” he said.

The amendments are expected to be approved as Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) dominates most seats in parliament.

Bashir had abolished the post of prime minister when he came to power in 1989 following a bloodless coup.

In 2015, Bashir launched national dialogue aimed at resolving insurgencies in Sudan’s border regions.

The dialogue, which was boycotted by the country’s main opposition parties, was concluded earlier this month.

Participants in the dialogue have proposed the formation of a national unity government and drafting a new constitution as a way of resolving the country’s woes.

Sudan currently has a transitional constitution adopted in 2005, ahead of the 2011 split of the country’s south following a two-decade civil war.