Dakar agreement will be in the interest of Darfur refugees – Minawi

March 15, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Senior Presidential Assistant, Minni Minawi, hailed the signing of a non-aggression deal between Sudan and Chad in an effort to end cross-border rebel attacks in the region. he further added that it would be in the interest of Darfur refugees.

Minawi praised the Dakar Agreement signed last Thursday by Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby saying it would be in the interest of around 400,000 Sudanese refugees in the Chadian territories.

The former rebel leader, who signed The Darfur Peace Agreement with Khartoum in May 2006, expected that the agreement would boost the efforts for reaching a peaceful solution for Darfur crisis, and convincing the non-signatory rebel movements to join the peace process.

Minawi underlined that the introduction of a mechanism of implementation in the agreement would put an end to the mutual accusation over the non implementation of the previous agreements between the two countries. A matter that will lead to the normalization of the bilateral ties.

The latest pact foresees the formation of a “contact group” made up of foreign ministers from Libya, Congo, Senegal, Gabon, Eritrea and officials from regional bodies, who will meet monthly to ensure the deal is implemented in good faith.

Minawi also appreciated the role of the Senegalese president as well as regional and international communities for the signing of the agreement between Sudan and Chad.

(ST)