Sudan repulses attack from Chadian territories
Feb 18, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — For the first time since the signing of the Tripoli accord between Sudan and Chad, the Sudanese army said yesterday had repulsed an attack from Chadian territories by unidentified elements in its western border state of West Darfur.
The official spokesman of the Armed Forces, Gen. Al-Abass Abdul-Rahman Khalifa, announced that the village of Kango Haraza, south-eastern to Al-Genaina in West Darfur State, Friday was subjected to a heavy artillery shelling coming from the Chadian territories.
Khalifa explained in a statement to SUNA that the shelling was followed by an infantry attack.
He affirmed that the Armed Forces have repulsed the attack and seized two vehicles, adding that counting losses is underway.
Chadian army has not been mentioned in the communiqué but the terms of the official statement are similar to a communiqué issued by the Sudanese army at the end of January accusing Chdian army of shelling army position in northwest of western Darfur state.
On Feb. 8, both Sudanese president and his Chadian counterpart signed in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, an accord on steps to reduce border tensions. At the Tripoli meeting, both countries agreed to have troops patrol the 1,000-kilometer (625-mile) Chad-Sudan border as a measure to reduce tensions.
The Chadian Foreign Minister said to AP that the details of the border patrol force — whether operated jointly by Sudan and Chad or troops from the African Union supplemented by Libyan troops — will be discussed at follow-up meetings such as one between intelligence officials from both countries within a week’s time in Tripoli.
Sudan on Saturday 28 January accused Chad of carrying out a military operation against its forces in western Sudan. Army spokesperson said in a statement that a Chadian unit backed by artillery attacked a Sudanese position 40 kilometres (24 miles) northwest of Geneina in West Darfur state.
Sudan has accused Chad of supporting the rebels in a nearly 3-year-old rebellion in Darfur. Chad’s government has also complained of periodic attacks by Chadian rebels and Sudanese militias, which they believe are linked to the Sudanese government and based in Darfur.
(ST)