Three NUP contenders race for Sudan’s prime minister
January 30, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The National Umma Party (NUP) experiences a muffled crisis over who would be the party’s candidate for prime minister in the next transitional government, once the ongoing political process is over and a final deal is reached.
After the open support of the NUP acting leader to the former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok, Bashir Omer Fadlallah, a former NUP minister announced his candidature for the party nomination for the position of the prime minister from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 17, according to a video seen by Sudan Tribune.
Hassan Osman Salih, a figure of the National Umma Party, confirmed to Sudan Tribune that Fadlallah’s candidature saying it was initiated by the NUP members in Saudi Arabia with the
Salih added that the Party Secretary-General Elwathig Elberir rejects the candidacy of the former minister because he is and is working to nominate himself for the position.
“Elberir is also working against the candidacy of former Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Badawi for the position of prime minister as he prepares to declare himself. This situation has caused disagreements between him and the acting party leader,” he further said.
Another leading member of the party, who requested anonymity revealed to Sudan Tribune the existence of three groups within the Umma Party that support three candidates: Fadallah, al-Badawi, and Elberir.
He underscored the secretary general discussed his candidature with the military leaders pointing out that faces strong opposition from the party’s sections in 12 states.
Nonetheless, he expected that NUP leaders who work with the other groups of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) Siddiq al Sadiq al-Mahdi and Elberir have more chances to impose themselves.
In the announcement of his candidature seen by Sudan Tribune, Fadallah announced his commitment to the political and economic goals of the FFC including the purge of the Islamists from the civil service.
The FFC leaders say they did not yet mull over who would be appointed prime minister but the issue is at least discussed at the level of political forces.
(ST)