Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok’s convoy in the capital Khartoum was targeted by the terrorists on Monday. As the Defense Post reports, the top official was lucky to escape unharmed as an assassination attempt using explosives targeted PM.
PM Hamdok was appointed in August by Sudan’s Sovereign Council, which is made up of six civilians and five military officers. On Monday, an explosion hit Abdalla Hamdok’s car was driving. The top official escaped unhurt, and none from his escort was hurt,” confirmed on Twitter Ali Bakhit, prime minister’s office director.
Mr Hamdok, a former UN economist, was in “good health and a safe place” after the attack, Sudan’s official news agency SUNA said but provided no details. The only thing is for sure is PM’s convoy was targeted on the way to his office in the Kober district of northeast Khartoum.
Details of the attack were still unclear but it was staged at “around 9 a.m. at the entrance to Kober bridge … at the time when Hamdok usually heads to his office,” SUNA said.
Sudan’s prime minister himself later wrote on his official Twitter account that he was unharmed and thanked the Sudanese people for care and support under such a weird circulation.
“I assure the Sudanese people that I am well and completely healthy,” he said. “What happened will not stop the march toward change,” Hamdok wrote.
The state broadcaster has shown the images at least two damaged vehicles at the blast site, which was quickly cordoned off by police. Meanwhile, state-run radio Omdurman reported that automatic weapons were also fired in the attack and that Hamdok was taken to hospital.
Hamdok just started his premiership last August to head Sudan’s government during a transitional period of three years. The developments of 2019 brought many changes in social and political life. Following the ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese politicians had to establish a special organ to rule the new Sudan.
Hamdok’s position makes him vulnerable in Sudan
Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok had built a solid career in continental and international organizations, including as deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa.
His appointment followed a power-sharing deal between military leaders, who ousted Bashir in April, and the protest movement which led mass street demonstrations against the strongman since December 2018.
Since then, the politician vowed to tackle social and economic difficulties and been attempting to forge peace with rebel groups across Sudan.
