Sudanese president appoints new governor for East Darfur

December 23, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir issued a decree on Monday appointing Colonel al-Tayeb Abdul-Karim as acting governor of East Darfur State.

The move was made following recent reports that the previous governor Abdel-Hamid Musa Kasha has submitted his resignation. The decree did not make any reference to Kasha or why the change was made.

This month Bashir reshuffled the cabinet and replaced his two Vice presidents among other posts. Sudanese officials said that there will be a further shakeup at state and federal levels but excluded governors because it is an elected post.

Col. Abdul-Karim was the Commissioner of Shi’eriya locality in East Darfur State and worked in different units of the army in Darfur.

The previous governor Kasha, has been a controversial figure as tribal clashes flared during his brief tenure which started in April of this year.

More than 100 people were killed last August when conflict between the Rizeigat and the Maalia tribes broke out in the Kilaikil area located north of the state capital, El Daein, which both groups claim as part of their territory. The Rezeigat are accused of seeking to take the control of a land inhabited by the Maalia.

The Maalia also accuse Kasha, who is a member of the rival Rizeigat tribe, of siding with the Rizeigat and supplying them with government vehicles and weapons.

Tribal fighting has become the major source of insecurity in Darfur since the beginning of the year, forcing over 300,000 people to flee their homes.

Kasha was previously relieved from his position as the South Darfur governor upon his request following a row with then finance minister Ali Mahmood Abdel-Rasool over blocking the disbursement of desperately needed cash for the state.

(ST)