Sudan’s new ruling sovereign council is set to be sworn in on Wednesday. The 11-member sovereign team, led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burha, will run the country for a three-year period until elections to usher in a civilian leader are held.

Gen. al-Burha will lead the sovereign council for 21 months. A civilian leader will then take over and lead the council until elections are held.

The council consists of five military officers and six civilians – two of them women, one from Sudan’s Christian minority.

Sudan’s main opposition alliance nominated economist Abdalla Hamdok to serve as prime minister in the country’s transitional government.

A power-sharing agreement signed on Saturday paved the way for a transitional government and eventual elections.

While the sovereign council will be the highest authority in Sudan, it will delegate executive powers to the cabinet of ministers.

The agreement also provides for a 300-member legislative assembly to serve during the transitional period and a cabinet of technocrats.

The main challenge for the new government will be an economic crisis stemming from a shortage of foreign currency, resulting in a cash crunch and long lines for fuel and bread.