Sudan’s ruling Transitional Council has appointed Neemat Abdullah Kheir as the country’s first female Chief Justice. Her appointment was made pursuant to a decree by the Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC).
Kheir has been a popular figure in Sudan’s judicial system, having worked in the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance before becoming a Supreme Court Judge. She also founded the Sudanese Judges Club and played an instrumental role in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. The appointment is hailed as a progressive step towards gender equality in a country with a long history of male dominance in key political institutions.
Kheir Appointment also makes her the fifth female Chief Justice in Africa after Ghana’s Sophia Akuffo, Seychelles’ Matilda Twomey, Ethiopia’s Ashenafi, and Lesotho’s Nthomeng Majara. As part of her duties, she will work with the attorney general to constitute a new judicial council.
The appointment comes at a time Sudan is looking to transition into full constitutional democracy following the implementation of a power-sharing deal between the military and civilian authorities.
Sudan made global headlines after a wave of demonstrations over economic hardship erupted on December 2018 and turned into anti-government protests which resulted in the overthrow of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir.
