Chad breaks ties with Sudan

2006-04-14 17:15

N'Djamena - Chad's President Idriss Deby said on Friday that he was breaking diplomatic ties with Sudan.

Deby's announcement comes after several recent rebel attacks - and an attempted coup - on his country, which he said were supported by Khartoum.

Speaking at a rally in N'Djamena, Deby said: "We have taken the decision to break our diplomatic relations with Sudan today and to proceed to close our frontiers."

Chadian rebels attacked the capital N'Djamena at dawn on Thursday.

It was the boldest assault yet by fighters who have vowed to end Deby's nearly 16-year rule and block a May 3 presidential election in which he is standing again.

Chadian government forces repulsed the attack and said 100 people died in the fighting.

Chad's government has repeatedly accused its western neighbour Sudan of financing and arming anti-Deby rebels from the conflict-torn Sudanese region of Darfur.

On Friday, Chadian officials paraded 160 captured rebels in N'Djamena and said they were recruited by Sudan.

Chad's territorial administration minister, general Mahamat Ali Abdallah Nassour said: "What you can see here are mercenaries the Sudan government has recruited among Sudanese and Chadians over there in Sudan."

The Sudanese government has rejected accusations it supports Chadian rebels.

- Reuters