Sudan, ex-rebels sign army deal

2007-07-18 13:57

Asmara - Sudanese army commanders and former rebel leaders from the east of the country have signed a military deal, bolstering a peace agreement signed last year, says Eritrean state media.

Following a two-day meeting in the Eritrean capital, a joint committee of military commanders signed an eight-point agreement to help the reintegration of former rebel fighters into the regular forces.

A statement quoted in the Eritrea Profile newspaper said: "The Joint Committee assessed the effective integration of the East Sudan Army and held extensive deliberations on the activities carried out thereafter."

Former Eastern Front rebel fighters completed their relocation to government camps in Sudan earlier this month and were now expected to either integrate into the regular army and police forces or return to civilian life.

Control of natural resources

The statement said a timetable was drawn up, but did not provide further details.

Major general Mohammed Abdelkadir signed the agreement for Khartoum, Mussa Osman for the Eastern Front, while Eritrean brigadier general Tekle Kiflai acted as mediator.

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

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

Bringing an end to 10 years of sporadic fighting, a peace deal was signed last year with the Sudanese government, which was to allocate the Eastern groups a total of $600m over five years for development.

- AFP