South Sudan parties strike deal to share ministerial positions
By People Daily, March 9, 2020South Sudan’s main opposition group said on Friday it has reached an agreement with the government on sharing of key ministerial positions, paving the way for next week’s appointment and swearing-in of ministers to serve the transitional unity government.
Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, deputy spokesman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) under First Vice President Riek Machar, said they have already reached an agreement on the distribution of key ministerial positions.
“We agreed (Thursday) that SPLM-IO should take defense, petroleum, mining, federal affairs, peacebuilding, water resources and irrigation, energy and dams, health, and gender and social welfare ministries,” Gatkuoth told Xinhua in Juba.
He said that Machar is currently consulting with his SPLM-IO team on the distribution of the nine ministerial positions agreed upon with President Salva Kiir.
Under the 2018 revitalized peace deal signed by the leaders in Ethiopia, the government will take 20 out of 35 ministerial positions, SPLM-IO will get nine positions and the rest will be shared among other fringe political parties.
Gatkuoth said that they are also discussing with the government over the additional three administrative units created in mid-February by President Kiir when he decided to revert to the current 10 states from the former 32 states.
“We are also discussing with the president the issue of the three administrative areas. At least one administrative area should go to the SPLM-IO,” he said.
The SPLM-IO will also appoint governors in northern Upper Nile, Eastern Equatoria and Lakes states respectively. (Xinhua)