Sudan’s Kiir says new cabinet imminent

By James Gatdet Dak

June 18, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has informed his current caretaker ministers in the cabinet of their final meeting as he expected imminent change within days.

Kiir on Friday told his cabinet that the weekly meeting was the last to be convened by the current Council of Ministers, adding that he expected a new cabinet in the next meeting.

The caretaker minister of Information and Broadcasting and official spokesperson, Paul Mayom Akech, said the President also briefed the cabinet about his recent visit to Khartoum.

He said the President, who is also the First Vice President in the Government of National Unity, participated in the inaugural cabinet meeting in the national capital during which unity and separation of the Sudan were discussed in view of how the South perceives the political destiny of the nation.

Mayom further explained that the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) was supposed to get more ministerial positions in Khartoum than currently allocated, adding that the President of the Republic of Sudan, Omer Hassan Al-Bashir also appointed a non-SPLM official in a ministerial position which was supposed to be occupied by SPLM nominee.

He further added that Kiir briefed the cabinet on his recent meeting in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, with the US Vice President, Joe Biden.

The meeting of the two leaders reaffirmed commitment to abide by the choice of the people of Southern Sudan, he said.

(ST)