KHARTOUM: Sudanese President Omar Bashir formed a new government late Saturday, state media reported, more than a month after he swept elections boycotted by the mainstream opposition and marred by poor turnout.

Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, dissolved his last Cabinet when he was sworn in for a new five-year term last Tuesday.

He handed the key foreign portfolio to Ibrahim Ghandour, a former presidential assistant, and appointed Mohamed Zayed oil minister, state broadcaster Al-Sudan reported.

Lt. Gen. Mustafa Osman Obeid, the army’s chief-of-staff, was appointed acting defense minister.

He replaces Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, who is also wanted by the ICC over charged related to the Darfur conflict.

The new government will be made up of 31 Cabinet ministers, Al-Sudan said.

Early on Sunday, Bashir also “issued republican decree number 20 which decided the appointment of” governors for Sudan’s 18 states, including ex-defence minister Hussein for Khartoum.

Bashir had vowed to open a “new page” for Sudan at his inauguration last week, saying he would mend ties with the West, tackle corruption and bring peace to the country.

But Bashir kept several key figures in their positions, including Finance Minister Badereldien Mahmoud and Interior Minister Ismat Abdul Rahman, Al-Sudan said.