Sudan and Chad say ready to end differences

October 10, 2009 (PARIS) — Sudan and Chad today expressed readiness to end their differences and to work together to normalize bilateral relations.

Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Attabani, Saturday made unannounced visit to Ndjamena where he discussed with the Chadian President Idriss Deby relations between the two countries expressing Khartoum willingness to improve ties and end the current tensions between them.

The move comes after several regional and international efforts to end the tension between the two neighbors and force them to cooperate together in the resolution of the six-year conflict in Darfur. Both countries traded accusations of supporting respective rebel groups.

“We are on right track” said the Chadian, foreign minister Moussa Faki Mahamat following the meeting describing the talks between Deby and the Sudanese envoy as “cordial”.

In a statement to the official SUNA from Ndjamena Salah Al-Deen said he had expressed Sudan’s desire to normalize relations with Chad and to end any tensions between the two countries.

The “Chadian President praised the Sudanese initiative and expressed the same aspirations and convictions of the need to maintain strong relations and overcome the bitterness that occurred in the recent past due to certain events,” he further said.

The Presidential adviser said the talks were Characterized by openness and sincerity stressing they discussed all the issues and prospects related to the relations between Khartoum and Ndjamena.

He added the two sides agreed on the need to address all the problems seriously and sincerely.

In a statement published on the Chadian Presidency website, the President Deby expressed similar position saying “I hope the Sudanese government will take concrete actions to restore confidence.”

Different sources confirmed recently that Libya was undertaking a series of contacts with two countries requesting them to take measures allowing to restore confidence between the two sides.

Among these steps the need to ban the presence of respective opposition groups near the joint border between the two countries.

Also, the US envoy for Sudan Scott Gration reportedly had tense contacts with the two sides asking them to distance themselves from the rebel movements.

The deterioration of bilateral relations between Khartoum and Ndjamena is seen by the African and international communities as a negative factor in Darfur conflict.

AU-UN Joint Mediator, Djibril Bassole, on Friday met with the President Deby to discuss the Doha peace process to end the conflict in the restive region of Darfur. He stressed in a statement he made after the meeting that the mediation would work to boost ties between the two countries.

“We will find ways and means that could revive confidence between the two countries,” Bassole said.

Ghazi’s delegation to Ndjamena comprised North Darfur governor Mr. Osman Mohamed Yousef Kibir, West Darfur governor, Mr. Abu Al-Qasim Imam, and the representatives of the Sudan Armed Forces and the National Security and Intelligence.

Dr. Gahzi held, this evening, discussions with Chadian officials on a number of issues to end the differences between the two countries before his return to Khartoum on Sunday.

In the past the two countries had signed several agreements sponsored by different regional players. The latest was an agreement signed in Doha on May 3, 2009. But the Chadian opposition raided the positions of the government army in eastern Chad one day after the agreement.

Presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Idriss Deby had strong relations in the past but Sudan in 2005 accused Chad of supporting Darfur rebels. After, Ndjamena also accused Khartoum of harboring its rebel groups.

(ST)