Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Fides Service)- “I am sadly not surprised that after the western region of Darfur now also eastern Sudan threatens to explode” Italian Comboni missionary Fr Giovanbattista Antonini, with years of experience in Sudan, told Fides with regard to the news that in eastern Sudan at least three army garrisons have been attacked by rebel movements.
“This rebellion like those elsewhere Sudan, is all about the nation’s power being in the hands of people living along the Nile” Fr Antonini said. “In fact in the past Sudan’s central government has always been the expression of these peoples which were therefore advantaged in the distribution of the country’s resources. People living in other areas remained on the fringe. Today in Darfur in the west, and now in the east people are demanding more attention from the central government and they want infrastructures, schools hospitals and conditions for development”.
The rebels in the east are mainly Beja. “The Beja have been here since ancient times when the Kingdom of Beja bordered on the Roman Empire” Fr Antonini recalled.
For some time because of its oil reserves exploited by various international companies Sudan has been at the centre of world interest . “Probably were it not for the oil reserves the international community would have not shown such great commitment to end the war in southern Sudan” the missionary told Fides. Expected income from oil could have drawn the people of Darfur and now those in the east to revolt and demand that part of this income be invested in their regions.
The rebellion united under the banner of Eastern Front began in February this year with the fusion of two groups “Beja Congress” established in 1994 and “Free Lions” formed in 1999. Until recently the military activity of both groups was limited to sporadic clashes with government troops. Since they joined to form the “Eastern Front” fighting has intensified and moreover the rebels can rely on logistic support from rebel movements in Darfur fighting the central government for similar reasons.
The Eastern Front said that in the past few days it destroyed three army garrisons near Tokar 120 km south of Port Sudan, the country’s principle port. The rebel leaders said operations were the start of a war and that they have captured at least 20 soldiers as well as a considerable quantity of weapons. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2005 righe 43 parole 485)
