US says restoration of Sudan premier just 'first step,' urges more action

WASHINGTON

The Sudanese military's decision to restore Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to power was a "first step" that requires additional action, the US said on Monday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed the message during separate calls with Hamdok and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Spokesman Ned Price told reporters at the State Department.

Blinken told the Sudanese leaders that "we must continue to see progress, we must continue to see Sudan move back down the democratic path."

"That starts with the reinstitution of the prime minister, but it certainly doesn’t end there," said Price. "We’ll continue to press on all of the relevant actors and stakeholders to work toward this goal, and to ensure that the first step that was announced in recent hours is not the last step.”

Hamdok was reinstated on Sunday after signing a political agreement with the military. He was placed under house arrest in late October after the Sudanese military led by al-Burhan seized power.

The deal, signed by Hamdok and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the ruling military council, puts an end to a weeks-long crisis that threatened to undermine Sudan’s political transition.

The 14-point agreement stipulates that a 2019 political declaration will be the basis for Sudan's democratic transition, and that elections will be held in 2023 as scheduled. It also provides for the prime minister to form a “technocrat Cabinet”.

The agreement also calls for the formation of all transitional institutions, including the legislative assembly and the constitutional court, and the appointment of attorney-general and chief justice.

Addressing the signing ceremony in Khartoum, Hamdok said the political agreement will correct the path of the revolution and political transition in Sudan.