Chad signs accord with Sudan
2006-07-27 11:02
N'Djamena - The Chadian government has signed an accord with Sudan in the country's capital - aimed at normalising relations since Chad severed diplomatic relations two months ago.
According to reports, in Wednesday's agreement signed by representatives, the two countries agreed not to use their respective territories to accommodate armed groups active along their common border.
It was not immediately clear how this agreement would be enforced along the poorly-policed 1 000km-long Chad-Sudan border.
The two erstwhile allies had been at loggerheads since last November after Chadian President Idriss Deby accused Sudan of harbouring rebels' intent on toppling Deby's 15-year rule.
Deby led a rebellion from Sudan's Darfur region with Khartoum's support to overthrow the autocratic regime of Hissene Habre.
The agreement was largely seen as a precursor to the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries - both ruled by northern Muslim Arab elites who had long supported each other in conflicts with their southern black Christian compatriots.
Sapa-dpa
- SAPA