DATE=1/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SUDAN CABINET (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258419
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has
re-shuffled his cabinet in an attempt to address the
nation's economic problems. V-O-A Middle East
correspondent Scott Bobb reports the move also is
aimed at further isolating a powerful political rival.
TEXT: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir retained 15
ministers from his previous cabinet, including the
heads of the strategic ministries of defense,
interior, and foreign affairs. But he dismissed 10
other cabinet ministers and replaced them, primarily
with technocrats.
/// BASHIR ACT - IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER
///
President Bashir told the cabinet in a televised
message that the government is facing a new political
situation and the Sudanese people expect a great deal
from it. As a result, he said, the government must
work hard to provide better services in all sectors.
The most prominent ministries changing heads include
Finance, External Trade, National Industry, Social
Planning, and Education. This indicates the focus of
the re-shuffle was aimed primarily at revitalizing the
economic and social sectors that have been in decline
for years.
The president also replaced 25 state governors who
wield considerable power at the local level.
Observers say the Sudanese president nevertheless took
advantage of the re-shuffle to remove several powerful
supporters of his rival, Hassan al-Turabi, head of the
ruling National Congress party and speaker of the
disbanded parliament.
A power struggle between President Bashir and Mr.
Turabi came to a head last month when the president
disbanded parliament and imposed emergency measures.
Mr. Turabi, an Islamic ideologue who helped install
Sharia, or Islamic law, in Sudan, had a central role
in the military coup that brought the Bashir
government to power 10 years ago. As head of the
ruling party and legislative branch of government, Mr.
Turabi had been increasing his power over the
executive branch headed by the president.
But the emergency measures reversed that trend. And a
party meeting Sunday stripped a committee headed by
Mr. Turabi of its power to veto senior political
appointments.
The developments have received support from the
Sudanese opposition as well as from the leaders of two
important neighbors, Egypt and Libya. These feel that
the power struggle in Khartoum was hindering efforts
at political reconciliation with traditional Sudanese
parties and peace negotiations with southern Sudanese
rebels. (Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/JP
25-Jan-2000 12:09 PM EDT (25-Jan-2000 1709 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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