South Sudan announces new cabinet

A landmark step has been taken in the peace process in South Sudan, as a new cabinet is named for the first time.

President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar planned to form a government of national unity three weeks ago, though positional disagreements threatened to shatter the fragile agreement.

In a move that signalled Kiir’s intent on making the new arrangement work, Machar’s wife, Angelina Teny, was appointed defence minister, making her the first female to hold such a position.

The news, announced over state radio, was met with huge relief by South Sudanese all over the country, who feared disagreement would lead to renewed violence.

At least 400,000 were killed during the country’s six-year civil war, fought between forces loyal to President Kiir and Machar.

The fact that these two leaders have managed to come together and form what appears to be a nascent government is a huge step whose importance is not to be underplayed.

There was mounting pressure from the international community, not least from the Vatican, where the Pope hosted the pair with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, late last year.

However, some have expressed resignations of the appointment of several cabinet ministers that remain on the US sanctions list for obstructing the path to peace.

The real test of whether this government will be able to heal South Sudan’s fractures and bring the country together now begins.

Photo: AFP