Abdalla Hamdok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abdalla Hamdok
|
|
|---|---|
|
عبدالله حمدوك
|
|
_(cropped).jpg)
Hamdok in 2019
|
|
| 15th Prime Minister of Sudan | |
| In office 21 November 2021 – 2 January 2022 |
|
| President | Sovereignty Council |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Osman Hussein (acting) |
| In office 21 August 2019 – 25 October 2021 |
|
| President | Sovereignty Council |
| Preceded by | Mohamed Tahir Ayala |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1956 Al-Dibaibat, South Kordofan, Sudan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Forces of Freedom and Change (until 2021) |
| Spouse | Muna Abdalla |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Khartoum University of Manchester |
Abdalla Hamdok Al-Kinani (born 1 January 1956) is a Sudanese public administrator. He served as the 15th Prime Minister of Sudan from 2019 to October 2021. He then served again from November 2021 until he resigned in 2022.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Hamdok held many important jobs in Sudan and around the world. From 2011 to 2018, he was a top official at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). People who worked with him described him as a "diplomat" and a "brilliant mind." In 2020, he was recognized as one of the 50 most influential people of the year by Bloomberg.
After a big change in Sudan's government in 2019, the Sovereignty Council of Sudan chose Hamdok to be Prime Minister. He officially started his job on 21 August 2019.
During a military takeover in October 2021, he was arrested. However, many countries, including the European Union and the United States, said they still saw his government as the rightful leaders. On 21 November 2021, he was put back in his position as Prime Minister. This was part of an agreement with the military. Hamdok resigned on 2 January 2022 because protests continued.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Abdalla Hamdok was born on 1 January 1956 in Al Dibaibat, a place in South Kordofan, Sudan. He studied at the University of Khartoum and earned a degree in economics. He later received a doctorate in economic studies from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Career Before Becoming Prime Minister
From 1981 to 1987, Hamdok worked as a senior official in Sudan's Ministry of Finance. This is where he helped manage the country's money and economic plans.
In the 1990s, he held important roles at international organizations. He worked for Deloitte & Touche and the International Labour Organization in Zimbabwe. He also spent several years at the African Development Bank in Côte d'Ivoire. From 2003 to 2008, Hamdok was the Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Idea.
Hamdok also worked for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). He was a director there in 2001 and 2002. Later, from 2011 to October 2018, he was the Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECA. His colleagues at UNECA saw him as a "true Pan-Africanist," a diplomat, and a very smart person. In September 2018, he was asked to be Sudan's finance minister, but he turned down the offer.
Serving as Prime Minister of Sudan
In June and August 2019, it was suggested that Hamdok would be chosen as the Prime Minister of Sudan. This idea came from the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC). This group was working with the military to create a new government for Sudan. The plan for this new government was written down in agreements signed in July and August 2019.
The Sovereignty Council of Sudan officially appointed Hamdok as Prime Minister on 20 August. He took his oath and started his job on 21 August. As Prime Minister during this time, Hamdok was not allowed to run in the next elections. These elections were planned to happen around 2022 or 2023.
As Prime Minister, Hamdok chose his team of ministers. In October 2019, he made changes to the leadership of public universities in Sudan. He removed many leaders who were connected to the previous government. He then appointed new leaders to these positions.
Assassination Attempt
On 9 March 2020, there was an attack on Hamdok's motorcade in Khartoum, the capital city. A car explosion targeted his vehicles. Luckily, Hamdok was not hurt. One security officer was slightly injured. The people responsible for this attack were not publicly identified.
Military Takeover in October 2021
On 25 October 2021, the Sudanese military, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, arrested Hamdok and other important government officials. This was a military takeover. Sudan's Ministry of Information said that Hamdok was still the rightful leader. They asked for him and all other arrested officials to be released right away.
On 26 October, Hamdok was released and returned to his home in Khartoum. His release happened after many countries around the world spoke out against the military takeover. On 27 October, representatives from many countries, including the European Union and the United States, said they still recognized Hamdok and his team as the rightful leaders. On 3 November, several powerful countries asked for Sudan's civilian government to be put back in charge.
On 21 November 2021, Hamdok was put back in his position as Prime Minister. This happened after a political agreement was signed with Sudan's top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The agreement aimed to bring back the plan for civilian rule. It also said that all political prisoners arrested during the takeover should be freed. However, some civilian groups and many protestors did not agree with this deal. They felt it was made under pressure. By mid-December 2021, Hamdok felt strong enough to remove governors who had been appointed by the military. He also replaced some government ministers who had ties to the old government.
Resignation as Prime Minister
On 2 January 2022, Hamdok announced on TV that he was resigning as Prime Minister. He said that Sudan was at a difficult point and that new discussions were needed to find a way forward for the country's move towards democracy. Sources said he resigned because the military did not keep their promise to not interfere with his government.
Role in the 2023 Sudan War
In the 2023 Sudanese war, Hamdok led a group called Tagadum in peace talks. This group later dissolved in February 2025. Hamdok then formed a new group called the Civil Democratic Alliance of the Forces of the Revolution (Sumoud).
His Ideas and Beliefs
Improving Agriculture
Hamdok has often talked about the need to change farming in Africa. He believes that African countries should move from just growing enough food for themselves to growing more food to sell. In 2014, he pointed out that even though many Africans were hungry, the continent should be able to feed itself. He suggested better ways to process, store, and transport food. He also talked about using "climate information" and improving water management. He wanted farming to be more connected with industry and science. During his time as Prime Minister, he also helped deal with a large 2019–2021 locust infestation that affected the continent.
Supporting Women's Rights
As Prime Minister, Hamdok had a big role in choosing his ministers in August 2019. He delayed his decision because he felt there were not enough women on the list of candidates. He said he wanted to make sure women were fairly represented. In the end, four women became ministers in his government. These included the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Social Development, the Minister for Youth and Sports, and the Minister of Higher Education.
In November 2019, Hamdok's government removed all laws that limited women's freedom. These laws had controlled how women dressed, where they could go, and what jobs they could have. Hamdok praised women on social media, saying these laws were unfair. .....
Personal Life
Abdalla Hamdok married Muna Abdalla, who is also an economist, in 1993. They have two adult sons. One of their sons was studying at Exeter University in 2019. The other son graduated from a university in the United States a few years before that.
See also
In Spanish: Abdalla Hamdok para niños
- Muhammad Sa'id al-Qaddal
- Jimmy Lemi Milla
- Omar al-Bashir
