{Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has replaced his two vice-presidents and unveiled a new Cabinet after urgent calls for reform in the 24-year-old regime.}
The country’s First Vice-President, Mr Ali Osman Taha announced his resignation on Friday.
Addressing a public rally in Garry area northern of Khartoum yesterday President Bashir denied any differences concerning the formation of the new government, emphasizing that the Ruling party leaders are working in harmony in this historical moment to the whole country.
“Ali Osman resigned his position voluntarily as he did to support the peace after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005” President Bashir pointed out.
The change comes less than a week after leading ruling party dissident Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani said he had launched a new “Reform” party relying on youth support that has attracted thousands of followers.
It is the most serious split in years within Bashir’s National Congress Party (NCP), which has faced internal criticism over alleged corruption and stagnant leadership.
The “big changes” announced today “were meant to bring forward experienced youth”, NCP deputy chairman Nafie Ali Nafie said, according to the Sudanese Media Centre (SMC) which is close to the security apparatus.
Mr Nafie is stepping aside from his post as Bashir’s assistant, to be replaced by senior NCP member Ibrahim Ghandour, officials said.
Another regime stalwart who has lost his job is oil minister Awad Ahmad al-Jaz.
Mr Bakri Hassan Saleh, a former interior and defence minister, replaces Mr Taha while Mr Hassabo Mohammed Abdel Rahman becomes second vice-president, senior party official Rabbie Abdelatti Ebaid said.
“Yes, confirmed,” Mr Ebaid said of the appointments.
Mr Saleh was presidential affairs minister in the cabinet which Bashir dismissed last week ahead of the reshuffle.
In 2005, Mr Taha vacated his post as first vice president to be occupied by the former leader of the Sudan People’s liberation movement John Garang De Mabior.
“Mr Taha is the spearhead and the leader of change in the formation of a new cabinet” President Bashir explained.
“This is one of our crucial and historical steps to allow the change and to open the opportunities for the youth and to promote the new generations” he added. Mr Taha, an influential figure in NCP and Sudanese politics, has backed President Bashir since he came to power in the 1989 military coup.
In the changes, Sudanese legislatures including parliament members, heads of subcommittees and the Speaker announced their resignations.
The ex-speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Ibrahim Altahir told journalists in Khartoum that they vacated their posts to prove that the ruling national congress party (NCP) is sticking to the change and political reformation.
The Sudanese government has faced many political and economic challenges since the secession of South Sudan in 2011.
An offensive against rebels has been expanded to new areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states besides the hotspot Darfur.
Daily Nation
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