KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir named his first vice president and long-time ally Hassan Saleh to the newly created post of prime minister on Wednesday, the clearest sign yet that he intends for him to one day take over. CAIRO (AP) - Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday appointed a prime minister for the first time since the 1989 coup that brought him to power, choosing a close confidante who could potentially succeed him if he fulfills a vow to not seek re-election in 2020. Saleh was among the officers who launched the bloodless 1989 coup, and the last member of the group to remain at Bashir's side. “The party leadership meeting chaired by President Bashir endorsed the nomination of Bakri Hassan Saleh as prime minister and his retention of the post of first vice president,” NCP’s deputy leader Ibrahim Mahmoud said Wednesday, adding that after taking oath of office he will immediately “engage in wide consultations to name his Cabinet.”

Sudan’s Constitution was amended in December to create the post of the prime minister at the end of a year-long national dialogue in which opposition parties had demand it be reinstated as a measure to check the president’s powers.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir names Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh as Prime Minister of Sudan, the first person to hold the post since it was abolished following the 1989 Sudanese coup d'état.