KHARTOUM, Dec 1, 2004 — Central African Republic, Chadian and Sudanese defence ministers have agreed to establish a mechanism for combating all causes of instability along the three countries’ common borders.

Gen Bakri Hassan saleh

On his return to the country, Defence Minister Maj-Gen Bakri Hassan Salih said a tripartite defence ministers meeting from the three countries which was held in Ndjamena in the last few days agreed to establish a communication network for exchanging information, as well as carrying out joint patrols along borders.

The meeting also agreed to to work to eliminating armed opposition groups in the three countries’ territories. They further agreed to avail adequate resources for fighting all forms of insecurity along common borders.

Maj-Gen Bakri said the meeting came in the framework of strengthening regional bond between the three countries, pointing to strategic relations linking between Sudan, Chad and Central African Republic.

The defence minister said the meeting discussed challenges posed by massive circulation and infiltration weapons in the three countries, as well as increase in the number of out-laws and looting from helpless citizens. The meeting also discussed destruction of wild life through illegal hunting. He said the these mechanism will will contribute in establishing stability and realizing aspired development.

It is worth mentioning that the tripartite meeting came following a decision made by the presidents of the three countries, on the sidelines of the recent Francophone summit in Burkina Faso, to form a joint mechanism at defence ministers’ level to deal with instability problems along common borders.

(ST)