South Sudan President Salva Kiir issued a decree on Wednesday naming 18 cabinet ministers and 10 deputy ministers, eight days after he had sacked Vice-Preisdent Machar and dissolved the government.

In a statement quoted by Sudan Tribune the President also said he was taking the opportunity to restructure the government and lay the groundwork for a lean and stronger cabinet. The previous government had 59 ministers and deputy ministers.

The statement also said this "downsizing will create synergies, allow budgets to flow to high priority development projects and also allow for better management by dedicated civil servants." Two positions are still unfilled, Vice-President and Minister for the Office of the President.

There are a number of new faces including Kuol Manyang Juuk, the Governor of Jonglei State and a former rebel commander as Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs; and Obuto Mamur Mete in the Office for the President for National Security, Telar Riing Deng for Justice and Aggrey Tisa Sabuni for Finance, Commerce and Economic Planning.

Several ministers were retained including Stephen Dhiew Dau as Minister for Petroleum, Mining and Environment, Michael Makuei for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunication and Postal Services and Jemma Nunu Kumba for Land, Housing and Physical Planning.

Earlier Barnaba Marial Benjamin, formerly Minister of Information was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs