Sudan denies presence of Chadian rebels in its territory

KHARTOUM, Apr 9, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese ambassador to Chad, Abdallah al-Shaikh, has denied reports by some sections of the media about statements attributed to Chadian officials on Sudanese government supporting Chadian rebels.

Chadian soldiers guard the border with Sudan. (AFP/file).

He said there was no doubt concerning the trust existing between the two governments, saying such allegations were baseless, the Sudanese radio reported.

The Sudanese ambassador was summoned by the Chadian Foreign Ministry and was told that the Chadian government has received information about existence of 3,000 armed Chadians from the opposition who are stationed close to Al-Junaynah region in western Sudan with the knowledge of the Sudanese government, and who are expected to enter Chad.

Chad asked the ambassador to contact his government and reply back about this issue. After we contacted Khartoum, the Sudanese government expressed much concern over the issue and an urgent delegation to meet to the Chadian president was formed.

The delegation briefed the Chadian president on the truth about the situation since the news was baseless and there was no such a figure. They asked for some Chadian government officials to accompany them to the region to establish the truth.”

Al-Shaikh indicated that the two sides agreed to continue establishing mechanisms for monitoring the border and affirmed that relations between the two countries would continue the way they were. The Sudanese government stressed its commitment to the stability of Chad, saying no one day will Chad get attacked from a Sudanese territory.

Regarding the signed agreements between Sudan and Chad, on securing the border, the Sudanese ambassador said the implementation of this gareement requires resources and this could be a reason for the delay in implementing them. Trust exists between the two countries and both governments monitor territories along the border. “Chad is not insisting that there should be some joint monitoring body and they are confident that each country, Chad and Sudan, is capable of monitoring its territory”.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring service.