African Union lifts Sudan suspension after appointment of transitional government

The African Union (AU) lifted its suspension of Sudan’s membership in the bloc on Friday, ending a three-month freeze imposed in the aftermath of protests that ousted long-term President Omar al-Bashir.

The bloc’s peace and security council in Addis Ababa on Friday voted to lift Sudan’s suspension, the AU confirmed in a tweet.

Sudan’s foreign ministry praised the move in a statement on Friday, saying: “(We) use this great occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the goals and objectives of the African Union.”

The decision came after Sudan swore in the new premier and a civilian-majority ruling body set to govern the country through a three-year transitional period last month.

Sudanese new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has come to an agreement with the ruling transitional council over the country's first cabinet since the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir.

The cabinet will reportedly feature just four women ministers in contrast with the prime minister's assurances of "gender balance" earlier this week.

The composition of the cabinet is expected to be announced later on Thursday, Mohamed Dia al-Deen told the Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Deen is a leading member of the FFC. 

Hamdok on Tuesday met with the joint military-civilian sovereign council to seek formal approval for the composition of the cabinet, Deen said.

After meetings described as tense, the majority-civilian sovereign council sent the prime minister a finalised list of ministers on Wednesday.

Nominations for the eighteen ministries - which have come from the FFC, the military and Hamdok himself - have been contentious.

The military successfully nominated Lieutenant General Jamal Omar as minister of defence, and the police nominated Idriss al-Taifi as minister of the interior, according to the Sudan Tribune.

Omar previously served as a member of the military junta which seized power after overthrowing Bashir in April.

Asma Mohamed Abdallah will reportedly become Sudan's first woman foreign minister. 

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