September 21, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Power struggle among the different factions of the former rebel Eastern Front has pushed the dominant National Congress party to form a committee to mediate between them.

On October 14, 2006, Sudanese government and East Front rebels, composed of the Beja Congress and Free Lions, signed a peace accord that was negotiated with Eritrean help and is aimed at ending a 12-year armed conflict.

The NCP formed a mediation team headed by its organisations secretary Gutbi Mahdi in a bid to bridge differences between the different components of the former rebel front.

The Eastern Front, composed from the Bija, Rashaidiya and Beni Ammer is witnessing power struggle that could spilt the coalition and threatening the implementation of the peace deal.

Amna Dirar, a senior member of the Eastern Front and Presidential Adviser, expressed optimism for the success of the mediation committee in its efforts to reunite the parties.

She asserted following a meeting held today in Khartoum with Mahdi that the peace agreement provides the different factions of the front should remain united.

She also said that Mahdi’s committee would meet all the parties in order to achieve reconciliation and move forward in the implementation of Asmara peace agreement.

Last August Dirar announced the suspension of Musa Mohamed Ahmed, the chairman of the front, and accused him of trying to concentrate power in the Beja Congress.

Following the peace deal, the former rebels joined the national unity government. Dirar is appointed as a presidential adviser and Ahmed as a presidential assistant. However the NCP still controls the important positions in the eastern Sudan.

Observers accuse the groups of the Eastern Sudan of waging a tribal war and say every faction tries to strengthen its positions, a matter that gives the NCP wide latitude to manipulate them.

(ST)