Sudan's new authorities dissolve ex-leader Bashir's party

Sudan's new authorities on Thursday ordered that the party of ousted autocrat Omar al-Bashir be dissolved and all its properties be confiscated, heeding the call of protesters whose campaign led to the leader's overthrow.

Bashir and his Islamist National Congress Party (NCP) had ruled the northeast African country since June 30, 1989 before a nationwide protest movement resulted in him being deposed him earlier this year.

The country's ruling sovereign council and the cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok made the decision to dissolve the party, issuing a law titled "Dismantling of the regime of 30th June 1989".

"The National Congress Party is dissolved and its registration is cancelled from the list of political parties in Sudan," the decree said, adding that a committee would be formed to confiscate all its properties and assets.

The dissolution of the party was not revenge against the country's former rulers, Hamdok wrote on Twitter. "This decision is not revenge, but it aims to preserve the dignity of Sudanese people which was crushed by dishonest people.

"This decree aims to recover the plundered wealth of the people."