Sudan relieves foreign minister and two governors

April 17, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – In a surprise move, Sudan’s Council of Ministers on Wednesday announced the dismissal of Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq and the governors of the eastern states of Gedaref and Kassala.

The government hasn’t publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind these changes. However, the timing raises questions, particularly regarding Al-Sadiq’s dismissal amidst ongoing international scrutiny over the Sudanese conflict.

Appointed Foreign Minister after the October 2021 military coup, he faced criticism for his handling of the government’s communication regarding the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which broke out in April 2023.

He is replaced by Hussein Awad, the current undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Military leader appointed Gedaref governor

Retired Major General Mohamed Ahmed Hassan was named the new governor of Gedaref. A prominent military figure, he previously served as mayor of a border town with Ethiopia and survived a plane crash that killed the former Gedaref governor.

Kassala governor replaced after dispute

In Kassala, Major General Al-Sadiq Mohamed will replace Mohamed Musa as Kassala governor.

Musa’s dismissal reportedly stemmed from his refusal to cooperate with the Native Administration, leading to friction with a prominent Hadandawa tribe’s leader.