Sudan rebels say govt stirs insecurity in east

Mar 14, 2006 (ASMARA) — Rebels in eastern Sudan accused the government on Tuesday of raising local militias and fanning insecurity in their region which contains the country’s only port, main oil pipeline and largest gold mine.

The rebel Eastern Front blamed Khartoum for a spate of attacks in recent weeks that it said had claimed 12 lives, including twin grenade blasts that killed four people and wounded at least 20 others on Sunday in Kassala town.

“The Eastern Front holds the government fully responsible for these developments and the general insecurity,” it said in a statement issued in Asmara, capital of neighbouring Eritrea.

“The Eastern Front will not hesitate to take the necessary steps to protect its citizens from these organised attacks.”

Sudanese government officials in Khartoum were not immediately available for comment.

The Front says the government has neglected the east and analysts fear simmering rebellion there may be gathering speed.

East Sudan contains Port Sudan, the head of the main pipeline for the country’s oil exports, as well as mineral wealth and offshore natural gas reserves.

The region has been largely overlooked by the international community in favour of Darfur, where three years of war have killed tens of thousands and uprooted some two million more. Darfur rebels accuse Khartoum of arming Arab militia against them.

In January, U.N. sources said pro-government militia had apparently also taken part in an armed incident in the eastern town of Hamesh Koreb.

Speaking to journalists in Asmara, Eastern Front official Abdalla Hamid said Sunday’s explosions in Kassala showed the violence was escalating.

“People are talking about peace deals in the east, but we are seeing our area becoming another Darfur,” he said.

(Reuters)