Sudan boosts security along borders with Central African Republic: official

December 12, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese authorities have tightened security measures along the borders with the Central African Republic (CAR) amid chaos that has engulfed the country heightening fears of a spillover.

Mahdi Bush, the deputy governor of South Darfur state which is adjacent to CAR borders, said that the state did not record any cases of displacement from CAR stressing that authorities are on the watch for any emergencies or infiltration attempts.

Bush revealed that arrangements are underway for an emergency meeting of the state security committee to assess the situation in CAR and review steps to be taken in order to prevent extension of the conflict inside Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abu Bakr al-Sideeg was quoted by government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) website that they established a committee that closely monitors the situation in CAR in collaboration with defence ministry and other agencies.

The spokesman pointed out that the situation is now stable and does not require evacuation of Sudanese who are there, noting that Khartoum has flown out Sudanese nationals in Bangui earlier this year .

He urged all parties in CAR to abandon violence and start dialogue to achieve peace.

This week the head of Darfur Regional Authority (RDA), Tijani El-Sissi urged the Sudanese army to deploy troops on the borders with CAR to prevent armed groups from crossing over.

A UN backed 1,600-strong French force started a disarmament process aiming to force Christian and Muslim militias to hand over their arms and halt the ongoing fighting and looting in the capital Bangui.

Different reports say Muslim militias, backed by Chadian and Sudanese fighters from Darfur region, left Bangui heading to northern towns near Sudan and Chad borders.

Speaking in a consultative meeting with civil society groups in El-Fasher, Sissi described what is happening in the neighboring CAR as a “misfortune and nightmare for Darfur region”.

He further pointed out that Sudanese authorities have to be aware of this situation because the possible entry of these armed groups threatens security and stability in Darfur region and eventually will represent a menace for the whole Sudanese territory.

(ST)