Sudan swears in new cabinet as crisis ends
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sixteen ministers from Sudan's former southern rebels took the oath of office before President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Thursday, rejoining the national government and formally ending a crippling political crisis.
The former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) walked out of the coalition government in October complaining its northern partners did not want to implement the 2005 peace deal which ended Sudan's north-south civil war -- Africa's longest.
"In the coming period they will discuss the implementation of what has been decided and that includes implementation of the peace deal and rebuilding side by side all the war-torn areas," presidential spokesman Mahjoub Fadul told reporters after the ceremony.
"This signals the end of the crisis between the partners."
The ministers immediately began their first cabinet meeting.
The new ministers included Deng Alor who was appointed foreign minister replacing Lam Akol. Alor is from the oil-rich and still disputed Abyei region.
Sudanese newspapers had speculated for weeks over Akol's status, with many saying he had been too close to the northern National Congress Party, alienating some fellow SPLM members.
SPLM Deputy Secretary-General Yasir Arman, a northerner, was kept out of the new government. Attempts to have him appointed presidential advisor had been one of the sticking points between the sides, with some NCP members saying he was a hardliner.
SPLM officials said Arman excused himself from the post, preferring to focus on his parliamentary position.
The SPLM and NCP agreed on most outstanding issues except the status of the Abyei region. Northern troops are to withdraw from south Sudan and its oil fields by the end of the year and the census will begin in April with full funding approved.
"The presidency will deal with the Abyei issue ... working with the commission of Abyei and the border commission," Fadul added.
Sudan's north-south war claimed 2 million lives and drove more than 4 million from their homes. But difficulties implementing the agreement to end the war and continued tensions have been overshadowed by international attention on a newer conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region.
(Editing by Mary Gabriel)
