Sudan’s SPLM says losing oil ministry does not mean weakness

Sept 26, 2005 (RUMBEK) — The government of Southern Sudan says failure by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to get the Ministry of Energy and Finance should not be taken as a weakness in the movement.

The vice-president of the government of Southern Sudan, Riek Machar says the failure by the SPLM to get two powerful ministries, of energy and finance, in the newly formed government of national unity, does not mean weakness.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service in Rumbek on Thursday 22 September, Riek Machar said, despite the setback, that the SPLM is still committed to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to work in partnership with the National Congress party.

Riek said the powers of the Ministry of Energy had been taken away by the National Petroleum Commission which is shared between the president and the vice-president and four members, and the oil producing states in the south.

He therefore said the SPLM can still influence the ministry of energy through the commission.

The SPLM’s John Luk, who had been recently appointed as state minister for energy, has declined to take up the position.

(Sudan Radio Service/ST)