Sudan rebel Beja Congress eastern state of arming rival tribes

Jan 22, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The rebel Beja Congress (BC) has accused the government of Kassala State of mobilizing tribes in the name of the Popular Defence Forces in order to fight Beja Congress troops in the east of the country.

In a statement the Beja Congress said the Red Sea State and Kassala State governments were actively mobilizing tribes and arming them in preparation for a new attack they intend to launch against BC troops, reported the Khartoum based Al-Ayam newspaper.

The statement further pointed out that other elements it called “Eritrean Jihad” had participated in the attack against its troops.

The statement said the two states were striving to weaken the Eastern Front’s — alliance between BC and Free Lions rebels — negotiating position by causing enmity between itself and other tribes, antagonizing the social fabric and creating tribal conflicts similar to those in Darfur.

Eastern Sudan rebels are due to start talks on 27 January with the government on ending conflict in a region that contains the country’s only port, main oil pipeline and largest gold mine.

(ST)