Chad says Sudan violated its airspace

July 13, 2008 (PARIS) — The Chadian Minister of Information has accused neighboring Sudan of having violated its airspace by flying over near Bahay, a town near the joint border.

Mahamat Hissene said in a press statement released Saturday evening that Sudanese military aviation has multiplied in recent days overflights of the sub-prefecture of Bahay in Chad.

“On Friday July 11, a Sudanese military Antonov flew at low altitude, at 11:43 (local time), over the gendarmerie of Bahay, “said Mahamat Hissene.

He warned the Sudanese government “Chad will not tolerate repeated violations of its airspace”, the minister said.

The spokesman said that the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed countries of the contact group responsible for monitoring the Dakar Agreement signed between the two countries, and also informed the African Union and the United Nations Security Council.

“The incursions by the Sudanese air force on Chadian territory usually prepare ground attacks, the government of the Republic of Chad calls for vigilance at all times,” said Minister of information.

A Darfur rebel group, Justice and Equality Movement, raided last May the Sudanese capital Khartoum, since the group said it would attack the capital again.

Further, since several days multiple sources confirmed that a rebel column had penetrated the Sudanese territory from Chad. The sources also indicated that the Sudanese army seeks to determine the final destination of the rebel force.

(ST)