South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Thursday appointed key ministers to the latest power-sharing government formed last month in line with a revitalized peace agreement reached with rival-turned-deputy Riek Machar in September 2018, reported Anadolu Agency.
Kiir and Machar’s fall out in 2013 led to a civil war in the country that killed tens of thousands of lives and forced 4 million people to flee their homes. The 2018 deal paused the worst of the fighting and began the slow steps toward a political settlement. The two leaders reunited in government after intense international pressure to settle their differences and deliver a lasting peace to the conflict-torn country.
The formation of the cabinet follows weeks of negotiations with rebel leader Machar over the formation of the unity government they announced on February 22 in Juba. Kiir dissolved his government in February before naming Machar as vice president.
A presidential decree naming the 34 ministers and 10 deputies was read out on state television. According to the decree, President Kiir’s side has 20 ministries in the unity government. Under the deal, Kiir has five vice presidents, with former opposition leader Machar as first vice president.
Kiir’s aides in the Cabinet include Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Beatrice Kamisa Wani, Interior Minister Paul Mayom, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Ruben Madol Arol, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, and Finance and Planning Minister Garang Mabiordit.
First Vice President Riek Machar’s party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has nine ministries. Machar’s wife Angelina Teny has been appointed Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Minister, while his aide Puot Kang will serve as Petroleum Minister. Machar’s wife is the first woman to hold the powerful position.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance has been given three ministries while the SPLM-Former Detainees group has two ministries.
Notably, some other important appointments, including the crucial posts of governors to South Sudan’s states, are yet to be announced.
