Chad denies hosting western Sudanese rebels

Chad denies hosting western Sudanese rebels

By Al-Ra’y al-Amm daily newspaper

KHARTOUM, Dec 26, 2003 — Chad has said that its lands are free from the existence of any forces from the Darfur SLM [Sudan Liberation Movement].

The Chadian ambassador to Sudan, Mr Saqr Yusuf, denied the existence of any of Darfur’s SLM forces on the Chadian borders.

He told Suna [Sudan News Agency] that the forces entered his country to continue discussions with the government. They then returned to their locations after the talks.

He expressed hopes that the government and Darfur gunmen would reach a peaceful agreement through negotiations which would help in developing the region.

BBC Monitoring Middle East