Machar Consults With Political Bureau Over Ministerial Positions

April 27, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s newly sworn in first vice president, Riek Machar, has consulted with his senior officials in Juba on the expected formation of the long-awaited transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) with President Salva Kiir, his press secretary has confirmed.

James Gatdet Dak told Sudan Tribune that a consultative meeting of the political bureau of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) took place on Wednesday in Juba.

“First Vice President, His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has consulted with the membership of the SPLM-IO’s political bureau on Wednesday. This is on the formation of the transitional government of national unity which is expected to happen on Thursday,” Dak said.

He said Machar is expected to submit to President Kiir names of the nominees who will be appointed to the ministerial positions.

The opposition faction will nominate 10 officials to the ministerial posts. President Kiir’s faction of the new cabinet will have 16 ministers, other political parties (OPPS) will take 2 and former detainees (FDs) will take 2.

The cabinet will have a total number of 30 national ministers and a number of deputies.

Dak said the new cabinet is expected to be appointed on Thursday and convene their first meeting on Friday.

Several current ministers of the cabinet who constitute President Kiir’s faction are expected to lose their ministerial positions to the three opposition factions of the SPLM-IO, SPLM-FDs and OPPs.

IDPS TO WAIT IN POCs

He also said Machar has called on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in the United Nations protection of civilians (POCs) sites in Juba not to come out until the new government works out plans and programmes for their return to places of origin.

Majority of their houses, Dak said, have been illegally occupied by “house grabbers” and this needed careful handling so as to avoid conflicts.

(ST)