Sudan keen on Chad’s political stability – defence minister

February 6, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s defence minister Abdelarhim Mohamed Hussein, today reaffirmed Khartoum’s keenness on the political stability and security of the neighbouring Chad.

Chadian government and France accuse Sudan of backing rebel attack against the capital Ndjamena last Saturday. French Defence minister who met president Deby today said the rebels forces were over by the Sudanese border.”

Abdelrahim in a press conference held in Khartoum on Wednesday the minister said that it is not in the interest of Sudan to deteriorating security conditions in Chad adding that stability in Chad affects the stability in Darfur.

He said that all accusations against Sudan for supporting Chadian rebels are false. He further said that Sudan will continue its efforts to achieve a peaceful solution in Chad, and to maintain good neighbourly relations with Chad.

Chief of National Security and Intelligence service, Salah Abdallah Gosh who participated in the press conference with the minister, revealed efforts exerted by the Sudan in cooperation with Libya to mediate the current situation in Chad.

Gosh denied reports saying the Chadian rebels attacked from eastern Chad and they are based in western Sudan region of Darfur. He said that the assailant rebels moved from all over Chad and gathered in the centre before to attack N’Djamena.

Salah Gosh also blamed the Chadian President for accusing Sudan. He told the press that they were in close contacts with Idriss Deby to find a negotiated solution for the political crisis in Chad.

He disclosed that Sudan persuaded the rebels to leave the Chadian capital in order to pave the way for a political solution. He further said that the Tripartite Commission, which mandated the African Summit to address the issue of Chad, initiated contacts with Sudan to intervene in addressing the situation and “even on the Libyan government asked us to go with them to N’Djamena, but we apologized.”

He further accused that Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement of contributing to the deterioration of bilateral relations with Chad. He said they provided false reports about Sudan’s support to the Chadian rebels.

Some of the JEM leadership members, including its chairman Khalil Ibrahim have tribal links with the Chadian president Idriss Deby.

However he said that the collapse of the recent peace agreement between the Chadian government and the opposition is due to the lack of implementation of the signed deal.

(ST)