New Sudanese government formed

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The long-suffering Sudanese people pin their hopes on the new government of national unity

YESTERDAY, the long-awaited Sudanese government of National Unity was announced. Among the 29 ministers in the government, the former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) grabbed 16 portfolios. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), on the other hand, settled for nine. Sudanese President Omar Al-Beshir now presides over a government of national unity which groups ministers from a wide spectrum of governments including two vice-presidents -- First Vice-President Salva Kiir (SPLM) and Second Vice-President Ali Othman Taha (NCP). There is also the important inclusion of a new post Assistant to the president assumed by the former Sudanese security chief Nafie Ali Nafie (NCP). The Sudanese president also has 12 special advisers who are considered part of the government.

The conspicuous absence of women from the new government of national unity raised many eyebrows. Rebecca Garang, the late widow of the SPLM leader, did not receive a ministerial post, but a southern woman, Teresa Eyru, was named minister of state for the environment.

Many veteran SPLM politicians like Lam Akol (Foreign Minister), John Luk (minister of state for energy and mining), Barnaba Benjamin (minister of state for international cooperation) were incorporated in the new government of national unity. A relatively important ministerial post, tourism -- Joseph Malwal -- went to a non-SPLM southerner.