February 9 - 2021 KHARTOUM
PM Hamdok announces new gvt members in a press conference in Khartoum yesterday (SUNA)
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok announced the members of the transitional government s new cabinet in a press conference in Khartoum yesterday evening. The new cabinet brings in a total of 25 ministers, many of whom are part of the rebel parties that signed the Juba Peace Agreement.
Hamdok stated that the formation was achieved through a political consensus to avoid a governmental ‘collapse’.
The formation of a new government provides more agency to the rebel parties that signed the Juba Peace Agreement. The Forces for Freedom and Chance (FFC) presented their list for 17 ministerial positions earlier this month. Last month, there were still disagreements among the members of the FFC regarding the nomination of new ministers.
January 15 - 2021 EL GEDAREF
Sovereign Council member, Lt Gen Shamseldin Kabbashi (File photo)
Yesterday, the Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority set up a no-fly zone over El Fashaga border area in El Gedaref, after an Ethiopian military warplane entered Sudanese airspace on Wednesday.
Aircraft will not be allowed to fly above El Fashaga border area lower than 29,000 feet. The restriction is effective from January 14 to April 11.
Minister of Information, Feisal Mohamed Saleh, denied that Sudan and Ethiopia are in conflict over the border in a press statement at Khartoum Airport.
The actual demarcation of the borders on the ground can be considered a settled matter, he said, given that the status of the borders is determined by agreements signed by Ethiopia, including the 1903 and 1972 accords.
Ethiopia warned Sudan on Tuesday it was running out of patience with its neighbour's continued military build-up in a disputed border area despite attempts to diffuse tensions with diplomacy.
January 8 - 2021 KHARTOUM
Cabinet meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by PM Abdallah Hamdok (File photo)
Yesterday, the Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, approved the 2021 budget, with a total deficit of 1.4 per cent, and a reduction in government spending by 24 per cent.
The Finance Ministry will submit the 2021 budget at a joint meeting of the Sovereign Council and the Council of Ministers on January 10 “for final approval”.
Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Feisal Mohamed Saleh explained in a press conference that the budget has been subjected to many adjustments, after receiving comments from many parties, including the Economic Committee of the Forces for Freedom and Change and the parties to the peace process.