Sudan’s new cabinet takes oath of office

Sudan’s new cabinet, which includes members of the opposition, took oath of office on Friday in Khartoum.
The new inclusive government was announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh and includes 31 ministers and 40 deputies.
The National Accord Government is an outcome of the National Dialogue initiated by President Omar al-Bashir in 2014 as part of efforts at national reconciliation.
President Bashir, who took power in a coup in 1989, has been battling rebels and grappling with economic hardships compounded by US sanctions and the secession of South Sudan in 2011, which took away about three-quarter of oil production.

During the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace, Mr Bashir said the new cabinet is mandated to implement the recommendations of the national dialogue including political and economic reforms and building peace in warring areas.

“This government will work in solidarity and harmony in order to serve the interests of the Sudanese nation and keep on the same spirit of the national dialogue,” he said.
He added that though the new government included many political parties with “different ideologies… we will stick to the main goal and our one agenda will be to serve our nation.”