TEXT: Sudan and Chad reconciliation agreement

May 3, 2007 (RIYADH) — Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby Itno inked Thursday a reconciliation agreement to end tension between the two countries under the auspices of the Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Here is the text of the agreement:

Bilateral agreement to strengthen and develop relations between Sudan and Chad

– Expressing strong desire of the Government of Sudan and the Government of Chad, referred in the coming paragraphs as the two parties, to strengthen friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries and support the historical ties of the people of the two countries;
– Observing the principals of good neighborliness; and non interference in internal affairs of other states, and to solve differences through peaceful means;
– Acknowledging the negative impacts of armed conflicts on stability and development in the two countries;
– In accordance to the objectives and principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union;
– Responding to the sincere efforts made by the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz;

The two parties have agreed on the following:

1- The two parties confirm their adherence to bilateral, multilateral agreements signed, especially the Tripoli Agreement of 8 February 2006, and that they will observe terms mentioned in the bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at fostering the Tripoli Agreement and solving the row between Sudan and Chad.

2- The two parties pledge to sincerely and seriously work towards improvement of bilateral ties in all political, economical and social fields and to achieve this end through official and popular channels of the two countries.

3- The two parties will observe the following after signing the agreement:
– (a) each country will respect the sovereignty and peace of the other and will not interfere in its internal affairs;
– (b) to prevent the use of their territory to harbor, train, fund or be used as passage by armed movements opposed to the other, and will not offer any financial or moral support to these movements and will eject them from the soil of the two countries,
– (c) supporting efforts made by the African Union in the political and security fields to stabilize Darfur and areas along the border through implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement.

4- The two parties will jointly work towards the implementation of the terms of the Tripoli Agreement, especially the portions concerning the Joint High Military Commission which was agreed to be established on 28 August 2006.

5- The two parties agree to improve their economical and social ties as per the interest of the people of the two countries. To this effect, the two parties agree to open direct communication channels between officials of the two countries and exchange official and popular visits including visits by businessmen and investors and signing protocols regarding this and what so ever necessary for mutual cooperation.

6- The two parties agree to jointly work towards fostering relations of regions living along the border, in the economic and health fields and border business and combating communicable diseases by establishment of mechanisms and signing of protocols to this effect.

7- The two parties will adhere to working with the AU and UN to end the conflict in Darfur and eastern Chad to realize peace and stability for all.

8- This agreement will enter the stage of implementation after being signed by the two parties.

Published today and signed by HE President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and HE Idriss Deby in the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, the king of Saudi Arabia.

(ST)