Sudan’s Bashir says would support state governor in 2020 president vote

[caption id="attachment_41601" align="alignleft" width="450"] SudanÕs President Omar al-Bashir arrives to welcome South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit at Khartoum airport, Sudan November 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah[/caption]

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Thursday he would support the governor of the country's Gezira state in 2020 presidential elections if Mohamed Tahir Ayala decided to stand.

Bashir, who came to power in a 1989 bloodless coup and is wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes in Darfur, has said he plans to stand down in 2020.

"If Ayala runs for president in 2020, I will support him," Bashir said in a speech broadcast on state television.

Ayala is the head of the Gezira branch of the ruling National Congress Party.

*Reuters