Chad, Sudan trade accusations of violating Dakar deal

March 22, 2008 (NDJAMENA) — Chad and Sudan have accused each other of breaking a peace agreement signed only days ago by their respective presidents, diplomats said on Saturday.

Chad submitted what it said was “irrefutable proof” of Sudan’s plans to stage fresh attacks on its neighbour to representatives of countries and bodies monitoring the accord concluded in Dakar on March 13, a diplomatic source said.

Meanwhile Sudan had alleged to the United Nations Security Council that Chad had broken the agreement not to aid each other’s opposing rebel groups on either side of the border.

Chad’s “proof” was given in a meeting late Friday between Foreign Minister Ahmad Allam-mi and envoys from France, the United States, Congo and Libya as well as representatives from the United Nations and African Union.

“During this meeting, the minister told the diplomats of Sudan’s pressures on (Chadian rebels) to stage a fresh attack,” the source added.

Allam-Mi also reiterated Ndjamena’s commitment to abide by the Dakar pact, sealed by Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno and Sudan’s Omar al-Beshir after strong international pressure on both leaders to end the five-year intermittent conflict.

A diplomat said Khartoum’s complaint to the Security Council accused Chad of giving Sudanese rebels logistical help to enter Sudan’s western province of Darfur.

Allam-Mi Saturday denied the allegations, saying that Ndjamena had told the Security Council that Khartoum’s information was erroneous.

The Dakar agreement was signed after an alliance of three rebel groups attacked Ndjamena over the weekend of February 2-3 after sweeping across the desert from bases in Sudan. They were driven out by Deby’s troops with indirect military support from former colonial master France.

All rebel groups that participated in the offensive had signed a peace deal with the government last October.

(AFP)