Sudan expels Chadian military from Darfur AU force

July 1, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has ordered Chadian military personnel working with African Union truce monitors in its western Darfur region to leave, the AU said on Saturday.

Chadian-Sudanese relations have deteriorated in recent months with both sides accusing the other of supporting guerrillas working in Sudan’s remote west, which has a long, porous border with Chad.

“Today all the Chadian representatives are gathered in el-Fasher and will leave,” AU spokesman Noureddine Mezni said. “We regret this decision … and urge all sides to use dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully,” he added.

The 7,000-strong AU troops are headquartered in el-Fasher in North Darfur, but the ill-equipped force has been unable to stem the widespread rape, murder and looting which has forced 2.5 million to flee their homes and killed tens of thousands.

Chad mediated a ceasefire signed by the rebels and the government in April 2004 but the truce has been widely ignored by all sides. Under that deal a Chadian representative, as well as one from each of the two main rebel groups and a government official must accompany investigations of ceasefire violations.

Around 30 Chadians were to leave Darfur, Mezni said. AU operations have been hindered since the signing of an AU-mediated deal on May 5, which only one of three negotiating rebel factions signed, and tens of thousands of Darfuris reject.

(Reueters)