Sudan dismisses Chad’s accusation of harboring rebel groups

April 12, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has dismissed accusation of harboring Chadian opposition describing it as “false accusations”, meanwhile Khartoum spoke about buildup of Chadian troops near the border.

Relations between the two countries remain very unpredictable despite three reconciliation agreements brokered by different countries. The latest one, Dakar peace agreement formed a group of contacts to monitor its implementation but however the two countries failed to observe it.

Ali Sadiq, the spokesperson of the foreign ministry said the Chadian accusations on Sudanese preparations to attack the neighbouring country are false. He further said that Ndjamena used to launch attacks and campaigns against Sudan. He pointed out that Chad is sheltering Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement.

The official spokesperson accused Chad of repeated refusal to normalize relations with Sudan. He also mentioned its rejection of all initiatives launched by Dakar Contact Group. He underlined that Chad had accused Sudan more than 20 times.

“Sudanese army has been monitoring the Chadian movements since the early and they are prepared to counter any possible attack,” the Sudanese army spokesperson, Osman Al-Aghbash, said.

Al-Aghbash further added the Sudanese army was monitoring since a while these movements. He added that Chadian troops working hand to hand with the JEm troops that are present in the same areas.

(ST)