Sudan appoints first prime minister since civil war began
- Kamil al-Taib Idris has been appointed to lead Sudan's transitional government, marking a significant shift in the country's governance amidst ongoing civil war.
- The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, creating a major humanitarian crisis.
- Idris' appointment is seen as a hopeful step towards restoring civilian rule and addressing the political crisis affecting diverse communities in Sudan.
Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, escalating a fierce power struggle between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Following significant military advances that led to the retaking of Khartoum in March 2025, Sudan's army chief, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, appointed Kamil al-Taib Idris to lead the transitional government. This appointment signifies a move towards civilian governance after the resignation of the last prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, amid pro-democracy protests and political deadlock in 2022. The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises with an estimated 20,000 fatalities, whilst displacing nearly 13 million people, of which 4 million have fled to neighboring countries. Sudan’s population faces a dire situation, with half of its 50 million citizens experiencing hunger as the nation continues grappling with social and political instability. Political analyst Osman Mirghani indicated that Idris has a higher chance of acceptance among the various Sudanese communities due to his lack of political affiliations, suggesting a potential step toward addressing the ongoing crisis. Despite the RSF and their allies establishing a charter for a parallel government, Idris’ role may play a crucial part in halting the fragmentation and addressing growing calls for autonomy within Sudan’s diverse communities. His previous roles as legal adviser at Sudan's U.N. mission and membership in the U.N. International Law Commission may provide him the legal and diplomatic expertise necessary to navigate these challenging political waters.