Sudan opens border with Eritrea

Oct 26, 2006 (KASSALA) — The Kassala State government has issued a decree to open the border with “the fraternal state of Eritrea” after the Eid-al-Fitr holiday (Friday), the Sudanese radio reported.

The Kasha governor, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, says under this presidential decree, the eastern states will enjoy security, and all the political entities would exercise their rights freely as stated in the constitution.

On October 14 the Sudanese government and rebels from the Eastern Front signed a peace accord that was negotiated with Eritrean help and is aimed at ending a 10-year armed conflict.

The signing of the agreement in Eritrea is considered a relief to Khartoum, which has been struggling to put down rebellions on both sides of the country, as well as keep a shaky peace after a civil war with the south.

(ST)