Beja tribes launch initiative to end rebellion in eastern Sudan

KHARTOUM, April 24, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — Prominent leaders of Beja tribe in eastern Sudan have adopted an initiative of trying to convince Beja fighters to lay down their arms and return to their homeland, the pro government Sudanese Media Centre (SMC) reported

The secretary-general of the Beja organization inside Sudan, Dr Aminah Darar, told SMC that this initiative is being led by Sayyid Turuk, a prominent elder of Al-Hadandawah tribe. The group has already started making contacts with a number of Beja people outside the country who are posing armed resistance from outside Sudan against the Sudanese government.

She disclosed another meeting which was held between the two sides, those outside Sudan and those within at a border point with Eritrea at the end of the month. She said this group will meet fighting Beja elements and try to convince them to lay down arms and delink them from the allied forces following a problem between the Eritrean regime and the leadership of Isayas Afewerki.

Aminah pointed at a previous meeting in Cairo between the leader of Al-Dandawah tribe and Beja people in the alliance under the leadership of Abdallah Kunnah. She said the meeting was successful and both sides agreed to pursue dialogue and work towards establishing peace and stability in the region.