AFRICA/SUDAN - Government reshuffle to convince the southern leadership to resume its place in the coalition cabinet

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides)- The President of Sudan Omar Hassan al-Bashir has approved a cabinet reshuffle, one of the conditions posed by the former Southern Sudan rebels, if they resume their place in the national transition government.
The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement SPLM had suspended its participation in the coalition government formed on the basis of agreements signed in 2005 (see Fides 12/10/2007). The President signed a decree to replace to presidential advisors, six ministerial employees and 6 ministers of the government.
One of those replaced is Foreign Minister, Lam Akol, high up in the SPLM, but considered by the S. Sudan movement too close to the positions of the President's party.
The government reshuffle, decided without consulting Salva Kiir, president of the Southern Sudan administration authorities, vice president of Sudan and head of SPLM, is only one of the requests made by the SPLM in order for it return to the executive. The other requests are: the withdrawal of government troops from oil fields in the South: a solution for the status of the oil rich Abyei region, is disputed by north and south; the end of constitutional violation relative to political prisoners and freedom of press.
The suspension of former rebel participation has caused alarm and concern among international observers who fear the crisis in southern Sudan may flare up again, and add to that in Darfur. The S. Sudan leadership hosted in Juba, headquarters of the Southern autonomous administration, a meeting of various Darfur political groups which did not sign the peace agreement with Khartoum. The aim of the meeting was to find a common position to present at the talks on Darfur on 27 October in Libya.
Experts on the situation in Sudan do not consider the meeting a sign that the S. Sudan leadership intends to form a “united front” against Khartoum, with southerners and dissident Darfur groups, since interests among the parties involved are discordant.
In the meantime violence in Darfur continues affecting also humanitarian workers including three drivers of truck hired by the World Food Programme. Two of the drivers were killed on 16 October in southern Darfur, on the road from Ed Daien to El Obeid, the same area where ten African Union peacekeepers were killed (see Fides 1/10/2007). The other attack happened on 12 October during the Muslim Eid festival, in southern Darfur, on the road between the regional capital Nyala, and El Fasher the main city in north Darfur. During the attack about 25 sacks of grain were stolen from the truck. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2007 righe 35 parole 450)