Al-Bashir appoints former eastern Sudan rebels in federal parliament

June 25, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Eight former rebel leading members from eastern Sudan were appointed on Monday to the Sudanese parliament, as called for by a peace deal signed last year, the official SUNA reported.

President Omer Al-Bashir has named today by a Republican Decree eight members of the former rebel East Front as deputies in the National Assembly in implementation of the East Peace Agreement.

The members are: The members are: Mohamed Tahir Ukeer, Abdallah Musa Abdallah, Yusuf Mohamed Mahmoud, Hassan Mohamed Osman, Salih Mohamed Hasballah, Saleem Ali Salih, Awad Mubarek Saleem, Dr Mohamed Hamid Osman Al Abady.

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 12-year armed conflict.

Last week eight MPs from the ruling National Congress Party resigned from the federal parliament to pave the way for the appointment of the formers rebels in accordance with the Eastern Peace Agreement.

The resigned NC deputies include Majdhub al-Khalifah, Awad Ahmad al-Jaz, Abdelbasit Sabdarat, Samia Ahmad Mohamed, Mohamed Yusuf Abdallah, Omer Suleiman Adam, Saud Mamun al-Barayr and Badawi al- Khair Idris.

Under the October peace deal, both sides are to release prisoners of war and the estimated 1,800 former rebel fighters are to decide whether to return to civilian life or join the Sudanese army or police.

The Eastern Front rebel movement was created last year by the Rashidiya Arabs and the region’s largest ethnic group, the Beja. It had similar aims to its better-known counterparts in Darfur — greater autonomy and control of natural resources.

(ST)