Sudanese midwives must stop performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on new mothers, health experts said on Thursday, adding that it was undermining broader efforts to wipe out the internationally condemned practice.

Women's rights have moved into the spotlight in Sudan after women played a prominent role in street protests that led to the ousting of autocratic ruler Omar al-Bashir in April.

Campaigners said they were very hopeful the new transitional government would ban FGM in 2020.