Chad Deby meets US envoy on Darfur crisis
August 7, 2008 (NDJAMENA) — Chadian president Idriss Deby pledged today, in a meeting with the special of the U.S. President for Sudan Richard Williamson, to support efforts for peace in Sudan’s troubled region of Darfur.
Williamson is expected in Khartoum on Friday for talks on Darfur peace process and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the country.
President deby told the visiting U.S. envoy he was favourable for a swift solution for Darfur crisis adding that his country is fully affected by the violence in western Sudan. He further expressed willingness to support efforts to reach a political solution for the five year crisis.
The Chadian presidency said the American envoy handed a message from President George Bush dealing with Darfur crisis. “Bush calls for a speedy negotiated solution for Darfur crisis because its implications go far beyond the border of Sudan,” said a statement by the Chadian presidency.
More than 300, 000 Sudanese refugees are settled in eastern Chad. Also the ethnic and tribal links of some rebel forces in Chad pushed the Sudanese government to harbour some Chadian rebel groups who carried several attacks against the Chadian government.
Chad had been accused by Sudan of supporting an attack by the Justice and Equality Movement on the Sudanese capital last May.
Washington seek to neutralize the two countries from providing any support to the rebel groups in order to pave the way for a negotiated solution for Darfur crisis and to support efforts for political stability in Chad.
Speaking before the US Senate Committee for Foreign Relations last April, Williamson said Washington had pressed Chad to stop their support of the JEM.
(ST)