War-torn S.Sudan creates ministries for disasters, tourism

JUBA - Embattled South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has ordered the creation of new ministries for the war-torn nation, including for tourism as well as for disasters, the information minister said Tuesday.

"Six more ministries have been created by the president," Information Minister Michael Makuei told AFP.

They include a wildlife conservation and tourism portfolio, a trade, commerce and investment ministry, as well as a ministry for disaster management and humanitarian affairs.

South Sudan's government has been at war with rebel groups since December 15, when a clash between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to sacked vice president Riek Machar snowballed into full-scale fighting.

Thousands have died in more than three months of fighting.

Over 930,000 civilians have fled their homes, including over quarter of million leaving for neighbouring nations as refugees, according to the United Nations.

Other new ministries are those for veteran affairs -- managing the vast number of ex-rebel fighters in the troubled nation -- as well as for labour and for livestock and fisheries.

Many of the ministries were cut when Kiir sacked his entire cabinet in July 2013 alongside his now arch-rival Machar.

Ministers are yet to be appointed, but key posts have been often used to bolster support or encourage loyalty.

Stalled talks between Kiir's government and the rebels, which have made little progress, are due to resume on March 20.

AFP