Two Chadian military generals cross border to Sudan
Feb 20, 2006 (NDJAMENA) — Two top army generals related to President Idriss Deby have crossed the border into neighboring Sudan, an official said Monday, raising the prospect that dissatisfaction within Chad’s military runs deeper than previously suspected.
Gen. Sedi Aguid and Gen. Issaka Diar have been in eastern Chad for two months with permission, but they crossed the border into Sudan without authorization to join relatives there, the official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Deby left for a private visit to Paris on Wednesday for an unspecified number of days.
The official declined to say if the generals had joined any of the Chadian rebel groups on the border, formed in part by scores of soldiers who deserted late last year.
It is to Sudan to explain what the officers are doing in their territory, he said, declining to give further information.
Chad hosts about 300,000 refugees who fled the 3-year-old conflict in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, and has helped mediate peace negotiations.
Last year, scores of defectors from the Chadian army joined a number of Chadian rebel groups based in the area bordering Darfur — indirectly drawing Chad into the Darfur conflict.
Sudan has accused Chad of harboring Darfur rebels, while Chad has said Sudan backs Chadian insurgents. Rights groups have said Chadian and Sudanese militias in Darfur have launched frequent cross-border raids, killing Chadian civilians.
Deby seized power in 1990 after launching a rebellion from bases in Darfur, and there is growing concern the Chadian insurgents are attempting to pull off the same feat.
In December, the army repulsed two main rebel groups that tried to take the eastern Chad town of Adre. About 300 rebels were killed, the army said. Tension between Chad and Sudan has since risen, with each accusing the other of backing the rebel groups, and Chad saying it is in a state of war.
On Feb. 8, however, both countries’ presidents signed an accord on steps to reduce border tensions, including creating a border force. The agreement was signed in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
(ST/AP)