Key Foe of Numeiri Named Premier of Sudan

A doctor who played a key role in protests that helped oust President Jaafar Numeiri was named Sudan’s new prime minister Monday.

The appointment of Dr. Dafallah Gazouli, 50, and 15 other members of a transitional civilian Cabinet was announced in a state radio broadcast by Sudan’s military ruler, Gen. Abdul-Rahman Suwar Dahab.

A leading politician from the rebellious southern area of the country, Samuel abu Bol, was appointed deputy prime minister.

In his broadcast, Dahab said the Cabinet, to be sworn in Thursday, will be responsible to the ruling military council, which led a coup April 6 overthrowing Numeiri’s government. The council has promised to restore full civilian rule within 12 months.

Jailed in Protest

Gazouli, leader of the national doctors union, was jailed briefly for anti-government activities earlier this year when his union was at the forefront of the anti-Numeiri protests. He also played a prominent role in the strikes and demonstrations that forced Gen. Ibrahim Abboud to hand back power to civilians in 1964 after six years of military rule.

Abu Bol, a former police officer, is chairman of the Southern Sudanese Political Assn., the strongest political faction in the largely Christian and animist south, where guerrillas have been opposing the national government.

He was involved in negotiations among the military, professional unions and politicians over the last two weeks that led to formation of the Cabinet.

In addition to his post as deputy prime minister, he was also appointed minister of irrigation. The Cabinet includes two other southerners, one holding the portfolio of works and public services, and the other transport and communication.

Dahab named the former ambassador to Kenya, Ibrahim Taha Ayoub, as foreign minister.

Brig. Osman Abdullah Mohammed, a member of the ruling military council, was appointed minister of defense, and Gen. Abbas Medani, Sudan’s police commissioner, was named minister of the interior.

Dahab said none of the Cabinet members have any party affiliations and or have held a ministerial office in Numeiri’s government.

In an interview with United Press International, Gazouli discounted the possibility that the army might renege on its promise to hand over power over at the end of the transition period.

“I do not think the armed forces are willing to take and keep power or desire power,” he said.

He also said the government will pursue a foreign policy of neutrality. He said it will review Sudan’s past close ties to the United States while pursuing good relations with Libya and Ethiopia.