AU sends observers on Chad-Sudan border

Mar 21, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union Peace and Security Council endorsed Tuesday plans to deploy military observers on the border separating Chad and Sudan as provided under a peace agreement signed by leaders of the two countries in Tripoli, Libya in February.

Chad’s camel guards patrol on the Sudan-Chad border in Abulu Kore (Darfur), Eastern Chad in 2004. .

It was not immediately clear, however, how this will be affected by fighting that erupted in the region Monday between Chadian troops and Chadian rebels in eastern Chad, along the Sudan border.

Since October, scores of defectors from the Chadian army have joined a number of Chadian rebel groups based in the area bordering Sudan’s western region of Darfur, the site of an uprising by Sudanese groups, some with tribal ties to many Chadians.

Sudan has accused Chad of harboring Darfur rebels, while Chad has said Sudan backs Chadian insurgents.

Under the Tripoli agreement, the leaders of Sudan and Chad agreed to deny refuge to each other’s rebel groups. The deal, however, has yet to resolve the chaos on the ground.

(ST)