Sudan denies involvement in Chadian unrest

April 13, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The minister of foreign affairs, Lam Akol, has said that Sudan has no connection with the incidents taking place in Chad and said it was an internal affair.

During a press conference at Khartoum Airport today he said Sudan hoped that Chad would remain stable. “Chad’s instability would negatively affect the security in Sudan.

What is taking place at the moment was a Chadian internal concern that has no connection with us” he said.

Lam Akol said Sudan was committed to the international conventions on receiving refugees. He said “We will not close our doors to any expected influx of Chadian refugees. We have no choice but to receive them. However, we will confirm that they are civilians and unarmed and then hand them over to the higher commission for refugees.”

Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmat Allami, speaking in Cairo, accused Sudan of supporting the rebellion in an act of “premeditated aggression” against Chad.

The attack by rebels of the United Front for Change (FUC) sparked condemnation from the international community amid concern that instability in the region could spark a humanitarian crisis

(ST)