Sudan rejects French proposal for UN force on Chad, CAR border

Nov 20, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has dismissed a French suggestion regarding the deployment of UN forces along the western borders with Chad and CAR, considering the fact that the deployment of any force within Chadian territory an internal affair which Khartoum had no connection.

During a press conference Saturday 18 November , the Sudanese foreign minister, Lam Akol, said the internal situation of Chad makes it launch attacks against Sudan from time to time despite the various agreements signed between the two countries.

This means Ndjamena is unable to make political decisions concerning the deployment of joint forces between the two countries according to the Tripoli agreement.

Akol said Sudan rejected the French suggestion which says that the joint forces have a mandate that will allow them to interfere with issues regarding the borders between the three countries: Sudan, Chad and CAR. He noted that the French envoy had suggested this issue during the recent Addis Ababa meeting.

Lam Akol affirmed that there was no decision regarding the deployment of international forces along the borders of the three countries, however, he said “on the basis of principal a country can refuse these forces if it affected its sovereignty”.

(ST)