SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: AP - Interview: Sudan PM seeks end to country's pariah status

26/8/19: AP - Interview: Sudan PM seeks end to country's pariah status, by Justin Lynch

 Sudanese prime minister Abdulla Hamdok told AP that ending Sudan’s designation as a terror-sponsor and drastically cutting military spending will be needed to rescue Sudan’s economy.

 Hamdok said that US officials reacted positively to the possibility of removing Sudan’s terror-sponsor designation, adding that “democratic Sudan is not a threat to anybody in the world." However, Human Rights Watch’s Jehanne Henry notes that Hamdok’s proposal may be vetoed by the military.

 Hamdok stated plans to bring all Sudanese state spending under the control of the ministry of finance.

 With military spending taking up 80% of the budget, Hamdok said ending Sudan’s internal conflicts would allow him to bring this down to 20% maximum, with the remainder going to development issues — health, education, infrastructure development and economic revival.

 Hamdok also promised a "peace commission" to attempt reconciliation with Sudan’s armed groups, and called for accountability for violence committed against rebels and protesters.