The New Prime Minister… A Bid to Win the Bet

The new Prime Minister, Dr. Kamil Idris Al-Tayyib, took the constitutional oath on Saturday before General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, becoming Prime Minister after a four-year vacancy in the position. Much has happened during this period, sending Sudan’s ship into uncharted waters, placing an extra burden on the new leader to steer the vessel in the right direction before even thinking about sailing, or concerning himself with selecting the crew.
According to experts, Kamil Idris is well aware that Sudan is no longer the Sudan of 2019, when his predecessor Abdullah Hamdok descended from the plane and assumed the same post, only to later resign. The Sudanese people themselves are no longer as naïve as they were in 2019—no longer likely to chant “Thank you, Kamil,” as they did for Hamdok, who received unprecedented support and gratitude, only to make grave mistakes against the people that no leader before him had committed.
Cautious Optimism
The Sudanese people met the appointment of Dr. Kamil Idris with cautious optimism, increasing pressure on a man whose mission resembles searching for a needle in a haystack. Yet, it is not an impossible task, especially after he received promises of full authority without restrictions. Additionally, there is a genuine desire among Sudanese citizens to rise from the rubble, drawing inspiration from post-Nazi Germany and post-nuclear Japan.
This realistic desire among the Sudanese to move beyond the effects of war and their muted reception of Kamil Idris—stemming from their disappointment in former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok—means that, according to experts speaking to Sudanese Echoes, the people will serve as a pillar of reconstruction. At the same time, they now possess all the tools of accountability should the new leadership stray off course.
After the suffering brought on by war, no Sudanese citizen remains naïve enough to offer praise without return. The words of thanks that once followed Abdullah Hamdok are no longer part of the Sudanese vocabulary. This, according to analysts, may create a sense of emotional distance or ingratitude toward Kamal Idris and any achievements he makes. All of these are challenges awaiting a man who previously led a UN organization free from the troubles of gas, bread, water, and electricity shortages.
Breaking African Isolation
Dr. Mohammed Omar, a professor of political science at Sudanese universities, believes Kamil Idris will succeed in breaking Sudan’s isolation in Africa and, to some extent, in promoting his government in Europe. However, he will face the heavy consequences of war, which require enormous efforts and real resources to overcome. He notes that citing post-war Germany as an example is misleading: West Germany’s first government had the backing of the US, UK, and France, while East Germany was supported by the full weight of the Soviet Union. Both were able to recover because of the vast resources invested in them. Dr. Omar argues that the lack of resources will hinder Kamil Idris’s government and that he will likely be bogged down in the day-to-day crises caused by the war—crises that neither begin nor end.
An Advantage in His Favor
Observers consider the absence of a political coalition backing Kamil Idris an advantage. Historically in Sudan, political backers have acted more as obstacles than as sources of support and strategic counsel. Kamil Idris will form his government without pressure from power blocs or lobbyists, giving him the freedom to hold officials accountable and dismiss underperformers—leading to a more effective executive branch.
A Reassuring Message
In his first statement after being sworn in, the Prime Minister delivered what many observers saw as a reassuring message. It also offered a strong indicator of the general direction his government intends to take. Experts believe his emphasis on dedicating his time and effort to ensuring a decent standard of living for Sudanese citizens was a move to build trust and ease public concern. Achieving this goal will undoubtedly be a monumental task—but not an impossible one.
Source: “Sudanese Echoes”