January 2 - 2021 KHARTOUM Sudan's flag is raised at the independence ceremony by Prime Minister Ismail El Azhari and opposition leader Mohamed Ahmed El Mahjoub on January 1, 1956 (Social media) In his address yesterday evening to the Sudanese people on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the country’s independence, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok confirmed that peace remains the priority of the transitional period. He said that without peace there will be no free, fair, and comprehensive elections or any agreement on a permanent constitution in Sudan. Hamdok announced the formation of a national mechanism for the protection of civilians, which will be a joint force made up of various regular forces and parties.