AU chief hails Sudan, Chad normalization engagement

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

January 20, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, welcomes the continued engagement between Chad and Sudan to fully restore relations.

The remarks by the AU chief comes after Sudan and Chad on 15 January 2010, signed new agreement in N’Djamena on normalization of relations and an additional Protocol on the Securing of their shared borders.

“This decision follows the visits undertaken by high level delegations of the two countries to Chad and Sudan, in October and December 2009, respectively, during which the Sudanese and Chadian authorities, through a direct dialogue, agreed to work towards the restoration of confidence and the re-launching of their cooperation” said an AU statement on Tuesday.

Ping hails this new development as a major step forward in that it identifies specific measures for the early and full normalization of relations between the two countries. The statement said quoting Mr. Ping as having said.

“He pays tribute to the leadership of both countries for the spirit of responsibility that drives them. Ping also expressed his wish to see a timely implementation of the commitments made by both countries and welcomes with optimism the prospects that avail themselves in the region in the early months of 2010, the year that the AU has declared as “Year of Peace and Security in Africa,”

The Sudan-Chad relations have been intense due to the conflict in Darfur and a civil war in Chad, which both governments’ trade accusations supporting one the others rebel.

In 2006, the two neighboring countries signed a bilateral Security Protocol, Tripoli accord, which calls for a ban on the use of territory of either country for hostile action and the acceptance of rebels from each other.

Full normalization of relations between Sudan and Chad, including the ending of support for armed rebel groups on both sides, if fully implemented, remains a key element in advancing the Darfur Peace Process and in promoting regional security in general.

Although encouraging progress has been achieved toward normalizing their ties, the parties still need to fulfill their commitments to implement past agreements and need to set up an appropriate and effective border monitoring mechanism on their shared border.

(ST)