KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudan’s former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi died early Thursday from the novel coronavirus at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, his National Umma Party (NUP) announced in a brief statement. 

Al-Mahdi, 84, was hospitalized in Sudan last month after being infected with COVID-19 and was transferred to a medical facility in the UAE for follow-up care. 

Al-Mahdi served as prime minister twice in 1967 and from 1986-1989 before being overthrown in a coup led by former President Omar Al-Bashir.

He has led the NUP for around five decades.