Eastern Sudan ex-rebels enter government camps

July 2, 2007 (ASMARA) — Former rebels in eastern Sudan have completed their relocation to government-run camps in line with a peace deal signed with Khartoum last year, an ex-rebel leader turned government advisor said Monday.

An estimated 5,200 ex-fighters have moved from rebel-controlled areas and western Eritrea to three camps in eastern Sudan, said Amna Dirar, deputy chairwoman of the former rebel Eastern Front.

Under a peace agreement signed last October, they will now decide whether to return to civilian life or join the Sudanese army or police.

“All of them have moved,” Amna told AFP in Asmara. “The first moved on June 20, the second on June 28, and the last group on June 30.”

Implementation of the deal has been slow amid apparent rifts within the Eastern Front, and the date for the relocation of the former combatants was repeatedly pushed back.

However, Amna said the plan was now on track and the fighters were pleased.

“They are happy, they have been welcomed there, and they are in a good position,” she said.

“The first batch has been given questionnaires as to who will go into the army, the police or to get back to civilian life. This will continue on to the other camps.”

The Eastern Front was created in 2005 by the Rashidiya Arabs and the region’s largest ethnic group, the Beja.

Under the peace deal, Khartoum is to allocate it a total of 600 million dollars (441 million euros) over five years for development.

In May this year, leading members of the Eastern Front were assigned government posts as part of the implementation of the peace accord, including Amna Dirar, who is now officially an adviser to Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir.

Eastern Front rebels had similar aims as their better-known counterparts in Darfur fighting for greater autonomy and control of natural resources.

(AFP)