Sudan: Eastern Sudanese Sign New JPA Implementation Matrix, Beja Nazirs Council Rejects It

21 February 2023
Dabanga (Port Sudan)

Juba / Port Sudan — The eastern Sudanese parties to the Eastern Sudan Track protocol of the JPA, the Beja Congress in Opposition and the United Popular Front for Liberation and Justice, also signed the updated Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) Implementation Matrix in Juba on Sunday. The mainstream High Council of Beja Nazirs and Independent Chieftains headed by Hadendowa Nazir Sayed Tirik rejects the matrix.

Hamrour Hussein, leading member of the United Popular Front, told Radio Dabanga that the suspension of the protocol by Lt Gen Mohamed 'Hemeti' Dagalo, at the request of opponents in late 2021, is "a political decision that has nothing to do with the implementation of the agreement".

He stressed the need to implement the JPA provisions related to the region's right to have its share of the gold revenues and other resources, for which a percentage was agreed on.

More than $300 million is to be allocated for the development of eastern Sudan, which consists of Red Sea state, Kassala, and El Gedaref.

At least 14 per cent of civil servants in the region are to be eastern Sudanese as well, and eastern Sudanese students should be exempted from paying university fees, the JPA stipulates.

Beja Nazir Council rejection

The mainstream High Council of Beja Nazirs and Independent Chieftains headed by Hadendowa Nazir Sayed Tirik renewed its categorical rejection of the protocol, including the updated implementation matrix.

The Beja Nazirs Council was not involved in the Juba peace negotiations in 2019 and 2020. The Council has opposed the Eastern Sudan Track protocol since it was first agreed upon during the peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front rebel alliance in Juba in February 2020.

Karrar Askar, Secretary of the Youth Forum of the Beja Nazirs Council, told Radio Dabanga that the Eastern Sudan Track protocol is "an entry point for the return of affiliates of the former regime" of ousted dictator Omar Al Bashir.

The council demands the cancellation of the protocol and a discussion on governance, power, and wealth sharing in eastern Sudan in a separate negotiating platform. "Saying that eastern Sudan will gain much through the protocol can only be called political arrogance," Askar said.

Read the original article on Dabanga.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 Dabanga. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.