Sudan's first unity government is a major step in implementing the peace deal signed by the regime in Khartoum and the former southern rebels, regional analyst said here Wednesday.

The Sudanese unity government was announced late Tuesday, ending a bitter bout of wrangling over the line up between the president's ruling party and former southern rebels.

"The most important point is that it unlocks the door for the stalled peace process to continue," David Mozersky, a researcher with the global think tank the International Crisis Group (ICG) said by telephone.

The formation of the unity government was delayed by a row over who runs the energy portfolio, with control of the vital oil industry, but it remains in the hands of the president's party.

The recent death of vice-president and ex-rebel leader John Garang also stalled the north-south peace process.

Analysts say that the biggest disappointment for the southern Sudanese is that they have not been given the energy and mining ministry which includes the oil sector.

President Omar al Bashir's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) retained the powerful energy portfolio after weeks of tough negotiations with the former rebel, Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The north also keeps control of the key defense, interior and finance posts.

Of the 29 ministries, 16 remain in the hands of the northern NCP, nine go to the SPLM, the former southern rebels, and smaller groups have the others.

Mozersky said the formation of the government could speed up implementation of key features of the landmark peace agreement.

The interim government will remain in place until legislative elections are held in around four years.

A six-year post-war interim rule started in July, after which the south will hold a referendum on self-determination.

Nine months ago, a peace agreement was signed between the SPLM and the National Congress Party, which ended two decades of civil war and paved the way for this power sharing government.

The civil war pitted the Muslim north against Christians and animists in the south, leaving some 1.5 million people dead.

Source: Xinhua