Nov 26, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi has died from a coronavirus infection at the age of 84 years.
According to a brief statement shared by the family, Sadiq al-Mahdi also known as Sadiq as-Siddiq, died on Thursday, three weeks after being admitted to hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
Last month, al-Mahdi’s family said he had tested positive to COVID-19, and after a few days in hospital in Sudan, he was transferred to the United Arab Emirates for further treatment.
Sadiq rose to power in Sudan twice, first from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1986 to 1989 through the last democratically held elections that were aborted through a military coup in 1989 by captain Omar al-Bashir who went on to stay in power for 30 years.
Receiving his death, many Sudanese people and leaders have shared their messages of condolences to the family of the former Prime Minister.
Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdock described Imam Sadiq Al-Mahdi as a “function of democracy, a model of adult leadership, and a page of dream and reassurance in a time when discontent was sculpted and disappointments continued on the history book’s chest” in his condolence message.
“I mourn with great sadness and sorrow for the Sudanese people, Mr. Imam Sadiq Mahdi, the last elected Prime Minister of Sudan, who was one of the most important men of thought, politics, literature and wisdom in our country,” read part of his message.
Hamdock prayed to Allah to forgive him and grant his soul an external rest.
“May Allah have mercy on Imam Al-Sadiq, who believed with his lovers and wanted him and knew his grace, so believe him, and may Allah forgive him and enter him with his wide mercy with the two friends and martyrs and those who followed them with good deeds until the Day of Judgment, they are the best and the best of companionship, and sincere condolences to his family, supporters, membership of the Ummah Party, and to all those who knew Imam in the African, Arab and world regions,” PM Hamdock wrote.
The official Sudanese news agency said al-Mahdi was “a unique figure in Sudanese politics and public life for more than 65 consecutive years, shaping events and contributing greatly to the course and development of the country”. It also lauded his commitment to democracy in Sudan.
Umma Party released a statement announcing that al-Mahdi, who died on Thursday would be buried on Friday morning in the city of Omdurman in Sudan.
“We offer our condolences to the Sudanese people over his death,” the party said.
