Chad’s FM to Sudan to discuss details of the normalization

Aug 24, 2006 (KHARTOUM) –- Chadian Foreign minister Ahmat Allam-mi is expected Friday in the Sudanese capital heading a high level delegation to discuss the details of normalization of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

A high- level Chadian delegation led by the Foreign Minister, Ahmed Allam-mi, and including the Defence Minister and senior officials of the Chadian government, is to arrive in Khartoum on Friday.

Chadian President Idriss Deby and his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Beshir promised a “solemn commitment to put a definitive end to their differences by immediately normalising diplomatic and economic relations”, according to a statement from the Chadian government after a mini-summit between the two leaders on August 8.

Informed sources said the question of the Chadian rebels who are still harboured by the Sudanese government will be the central point in the discussion of the details of this normalization.

It is not clear why Deby arrested and rapidly released leaders of a Darfur rebel group. Analysts say Deby doesn’t really control much what is happening in N’djamena. In the same time he is very ill and could not pretend have power over every decision in Chad.

Sudanese authorities seem testing the credibility of Chad’s Deby to put an end to the support of his army to Darfur rebel groups.

During its three-day visit to Sudan, the delegation is due to meet with the President of the Republic, Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lam Akol, and Deputy Chairman of the National Congress for Political and Organizational Affairs, Nafie Ali Nafie.

(ST)