Sudan’s Bashir expected to dissolve cabinet Thursday

November 16, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir will likely dissolve the cabinet on Thursday in preparation for the formation of a new one.

Multiple sources told Sudan Tribune that the timing coincides with wrapping up of dialogue between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the opposition Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) over joining the new cabinet.

The Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail speaking to reporters refused to say whether the DUP has given the NCP a final decision on becoming part of the government.

The DUP is reportedly deeply divided over participation with its leader Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani initially adamant that his party will not. However, as of late the DUP chief appeared to leave the door open for joining the NCP-dominated cabinet.

Sudan’s ruling party has desperately sought to convince major opposition parties to accept ministerial positions in its new cabinet that has long been overdue since South Sudan became a separate nation.

The National Umma Party (NUP) led by former prime minister al-Sadiq al-Mahdi has formally rejected participation and ended bilateral talks with the NCP.

Yesterday the Khartoum governor Abdel-Rahman al-Khidir swore in his new cabinet, dominated by officials with a background of working in security organs. This included Lieutenant General Al-Rasheed Osman Figairi who was deputy director at the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Al-Khidir said that a few vacancies were intentionally left in his cabinet pending a decision by the DUP.

Observers say that despite the NCP achieving a landslide victory in April 2010 elections, it still feels the need to bolster its legitimacy by having opposition parties enter the cabinet.

(ST)