HAMDOK: “SLOWLY, BUT SURE “

Prime Minister’s address to the people in the evening of August 22, 2020, raised new hopes that the revolution is proceeding – but slowly – visa-a-vi some difficulties and challenges. He pointed out that these challenges include the continual efforts of the ‘deep state’ to block the march of the revolution. The second challenge is the relation with the military component of the Transitional Government (TG). The third challenge is the situation in the TG’s ‘political incubator’ (i.e. the Forces of Freedom and Change – FFC) – which is suffering from acute political polarization. It is doubtless this difference among the FFC has had negative impact on the performance of the TG. This is besides the legacy of the demise regime of Omer Al-Beshir which has left $60 billions of debts on the burden of the TG besides distorting the Sudan’s image in international community by its aggressive policies and supporting of terrorism. Adding to all this is the economic disturbance caused by the Corona virus pandemic.
Addressing the people on the first anniversary of the formation the civil Council of Ministers last year, Hamdok reviewed the achievements of his one-year cabinet: Restoring the normal position of the Sudan in international community, peace is about to be achieved, nominating the civil governors for the states, a successful agricultural season that produced nearly two million tons of wheat, direct financial support for the poor, increasing salaries, raising the financial apportionment for education and health in the public budget, will continue subsiding six basic commodities – including benzene and gasoline, restoring some of the companies from the military to be subordinated to the Ministry of Finance, convening of the Sudan partners’ conference organized by Germany and the Sudan’s friends conference organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paying more attention to the Youth and women as the spearhead of revolution and change.
“We fear no criticism as far as it is objective and constructive”, affirmed Hamdok. He promised to support and supervise the forthcoming conference to mend fence in the FFC to restore its unity and cohesiveness. It is also one of the priorities is to declare the outcomes of the investigations with regard to those accused of killings and other different crimes besides corruption. This also included reforming of police as well as laws to maintain a proper situation of human rights.
Among the positive steps is the tackling of about 20000 files of persons been deposed on pure political reasons. Another 40000 files are waiting to be settled. Also the committee on “dismantling the deep state, combating of corruption and restoration of public money” is working hard to complete its assignment.
However, the negative points in the address is that it has not revealed any decisive step to tackle the deterioration economic condition – including three-digits inflation, deterioration of the Sudanese currency and ever-increasing prices as well as perpetual suffering of the people. The address also has not touched on any preparation for election or any preliminary step for democratization.