Sudan, Chad sign understanding on normalizing ties
Aug 28, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Chad and Sudan agreed Monday to immediately resume diplomatic ties, severed in a dispute this year over rebel groups operating along their border.
The agreement came in a joint statement signed by the two countries’ foreign ministers that also committed them to resume bilateral cooperation in all fields “of common interest.”
The two countries announced earlier this month that they would restore diplomatic ties, and diplomats met for three days this week in Khartoum on implementing the move.
“What happened in our relations with Chad was a summer cloud that has vanished and we have now returned to the right course,” said Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol Ajawin at the signing ceremony.
The dispute broke out in April when Chad accused of involvement in a rebellion in eastern Chad. Sudan has in turn accused Chad of harboring Sudanese rebels fighting in its Darfur region, which borders Chad. Observers have long feared the war in Darfur could destabilize the entire region.
In the understanding signed Monday, the two sides promised not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs and not to host the opposition of one country in the other’s territories.
The Sudanese and Chadian sides also agreed to establish a joint military- security commission in addition to forming joint forces to secure the common borders.
Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmat Allami said he hoped the agreement would help improve the situation in Darfur.
“The Chadian government will spare no effort to help implement the Darfur peace agreement and will stand aganist anyone who attempts to undermine implementation of this agreement,” Allami said.
(AP/ST)