Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir is to announce a new cabinet in the next 24 hours after consulting with the national dialogue parties.

On Sunday, Bashir announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle and large changes in government structures, including reducing the number of ministers from 31 to 21, in addition to limiting the number of state ministers to 15, the Sudan Tribune reported.

The Sudanese leader stated that the new government “would deal with the livelihoods of the people as a top priority”, saying the economic situation was the driving force for the decision to reshuffle the cabinet.

The reshuffle is aimed at reducing and controlling public expenditure which is a crucial step towards bringing Sudan out of its economic doldrums.

Government structures are also to be reviewed in order to improve public performance.

Following South Sudan ceding from the north in 2011, and gaining the lion’s share of oil production and exports, Sudan’s economy has struggled to recuperate.

The withdrawal of South Sudan oil has compounded the battered economy, in addition to debt arrears, limited access to external financing, US sanctions, and the withdrawal of corresponding bank business.