Who's new? Who's not? Here's a brief run-down on the background of some of the appointees to South Sudan's cabinet, which includes members of the opposition, previous government and other parties.

Alfred Lado Gore as Minister of Interior – A native of Central Equatoria and the deputy chairman of SPLM-IO, Lado Gore is the most senior ranked member of the armed opposition in the new cabinet.

Taban Deng Gai as Minister of Mining – A key player in the rebellion and also in the peace talks, Taban Deng is notably the only cabinet member appointed from war-torn Unity State, where he formerly served as governor. 

Deng Alor Kuol as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – The choice of the SPLM 'Former Detainees' group, Deng Alor is a seasoned politician and native of the disputed Abyei Area. His appointment was earlier rumored to be in doubt, however, owing to reputed personal differences with Kiir. Deng Alor served as foreign minister of the united Sudan before independence. 

Kuol Manyang Juuk as Minister of Defense - The incumbent minister retains his position. 

Richard K. Mulla as Minister of Federal Affairs – This new ministry was created at the insistence of SPLM-IO and is to be headed by one of its members hailing from Mundri in Western Equatoria. 

Martin Elia Lomuro as Minister of Cabinet Affairs – Lomuro is the incumbent minister in the same position, but Kiir has reappointed him not as one of the 16 picks for his own party, but rather as a member of other political parties, since Lomuro belongs to an allied political party. This is a move that was not unexpected by observers of the political parties' selection process carried out in January.

David Yau Yau as Deputy Defense Minister – This appointment points to an effort to accommodate the former Cobra Faction commander in line with plans to integrate his remaining forces into the national army SPLA. Yau Yau was promised a senior position after his removal from the post of Greater Pibor Area Administrator in December 2013.

Riek Gai Kok as Minister of Health - The incumbent minister retains his position. He is one of a number of prominent Nuer politicians who remained loyal to the government throughout the civil war, refusing to join their fellow tribesman Riek Machar in rebellion. 

Lam Akol Ajawin as Agriculture and Food Security Minister – A leading member of the non-armed opposition National Alliance and head of the Democratic Change party, Lam sought to participate in peace talks last year in Addis Ababa but was denied travel permission and therefore could not sign the peace deal even though he supported it. His appointment is a key concession to the only opposition party in parliament, whose MPs are mainly from the Shilluk region of Upper Nile.

Mabior Garang de Mabior as Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation – Son of the founder of the SPLM, he was one of a number of Dinka intellectuals to have supported the rebellion of Riek Machar. He has been serving as spokesman for the SPLM-IO. This is his first senior position in government. 

Michael Makuei Lueth as Minister of Information – Makuei is the incumbent minister and his reappointment signals the intent to preserve existing government media policies. Makuei has overseen efforts to more closely control media houses since his initial appointment nearly three years ago. 

Hussein Mar Nyuot as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs – The former deputy governor of Jonglei State, Hussein Mar is the only Lou Nuer cabinet member belonging to the SPLM-IO, in spite of lobbying efforts by the community for Machar to nominate two Lou Nuer to the cabinet. The territory of the Lou Nuer is controlled entirely by the SPLM-IO.

John Luk Jok as Minister of Transport – Also Lou Nuer, but a pick of the SPLM-Former Detainees, John Luk is not new to government, having served as justice minister in the post-independence cabinet.

Missing out... 

Beda Machar Deng – The former agriculture minister failed to secure a reappointment.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin – South Sudan's first information minister and later foreign minister, Barnaba was abruptly removed last month and was not appointed to a new job.

File photo: Minister of Health Riek Gai Kok (center), Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Hussein Mar Nyuot (left) and Vice President Riek Machar (Sudan Tribune photo, 2007)