Sudan PM names more new cabinet members, retaining key figures from armed groups

July 10, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudanese Prime Minister Kamal Idris announced a new government lineup on Thursday, retaining several key ministers who are signatories of a peace agreement, despite earlier pledges to form a cabinet of independent technocrats.

Gibril Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), kept his position as Finance Minister. Mohamed Kortikela Saleh, a leader in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) faction led by Malik Agar, retained his role as Minister of Federal Governance and Rural Development.

Both Ibrahim and Kortikela have held these portfolios since the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement in 2020.

The insistence by parties of the peace agreement to retain their ministerial posts has generated controversy amid the Prime Minister’s stated intention to appoint a “technocratic” government of independent professionals.

Among the new appointments, Mahasen Ali Yaqoub was named Minister of Industry and Trade. Yaqoub, a former ministry employee, had been serving in an advisory role and later as acting minister since July 2023.

Abdullah Mohamed Daraf was appointed Minister of Justice. Daraf, a lawyer, is a prominent figure in the dissolved National Congress Party in the eastern state of Kassala, where he previously served as State Health Minister and Deputy Head of the Popular Resistance in the state.

Bashir Haroun Abdel Karim Abdallah was named Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments.

The appointments follow others made earlier. On July 3, Idris named Esmat Qureshi as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ahmed Madwi as Minister of Higher Education, and Moaz Omar Bakhit as Minister of Health. Hassan Daoud and Babiker Samra were appointed Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior, respectively, the previous week.