Sudan and Chad agree to resume diplomatic relations
September 12, 2008 (ASMARA) – Sudan and Chad agreed today to resume diplomatic relations and to exchange ambassadors before the next meeting of the contact group.
The 5th Foreign Ministers Contact Group meeting on normalizing Sudanese-Chadian diplomatic relations discussed today in Asmara the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.
According to the final communiqué issued and the end of the meeting Sudan reaffirmed its readiness to resume diplomatic relations with Chad which accepted the restoration of bilateral relations with Khartoum.
“The two countries further agreed to exchange Ambassadors before the 6th meeting of the Contact Group to be held in Ndjamena, Chad.”
Also Libya and Republic of Congo are charged by the meeting to coordinate the Ambassadors exchange between the two countries.
According to a non-aggression pact signed by Sudan and Chad last March in Dakar, a contact group was formed to implement the accord. The African committee discussed during the last five months ways to deploy observer teams and to contain further deteriorations.
However, following a rebel raid on the Sudanese capital on May 10, Sudan broke off relations with Chad after accusing it of supporting the rebel group that attacked Khartoum.
The meeting also discussed the findings of experts on defense, security and intelligence on the deployment of the border patrols between Sudan and Chad. The experts have held their third meeting two days before (10-11 September) in Asmara.
“The Meeting agreed to take the minutes of the Third Meeting of Experts on Defense, Security and Intelligence as guideline for the provision of budget and logistics and the organization of the command centers to the observer force to be deployed on the Chad-Sudan border”
The Foreign Ministers Contact Group on solving the Sudanese-Chadian crisis comprises Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Gabon, Libya and Senegal.
(ST)