Sudan, Chad reportedly agree to deploy joint patrols
June 9, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan and Chad have agreed to deploy joint patrols to monitor the border between the two countries. The deployment of the joint patrols is considered as an advanced step in the normalization of the bilateral relations after a two-year border tension.
The director for the office of the spokesman of the Sudan Armed Forces, Lt. Colonel Swarmi Khalid Saad, told the UN sponsored Radio Miraya that Sudan and Chad agreed to deploy joint units composed of 2000 soldiers to patrol ten areas at the border.
The Sudanese military official added that it includes five areas inside Sudan and the other five areas inside the Chadian territory.
On February 8, 2006, Sudan’s Bashir and Chad President Idriss Deby agreed to set up joint patrols in border regions as a way to resolve border dispute that have strained their relations during the last two years. Tripoli Agreement requiring they stop insurgents setting up bases on their territories and end propaganda against one another.
“If the agreement is implemented perfectly enough then it is a verified issue, because 2000 soldiers across the boarders between the two countries it’s quite enough but consultations are going continuing,” Lt. Colonel, Saad told Miraya FM.
He further said that during the last meeting between Sudan and Chad in the military headquarters in Khartoum, it has been agreed that the implementation will take place as soon as possible but without indicating specific time for its implementation.
Sudan and Chad accused each other of supporting rebel forces in their respective territories amid international fears that the continuing strife in Sudan’s western Darfur region will spill over into Chad and ignite a regional war.
(ST)