afrol News, 3 March - Ahead of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Senegalese President is organising a mediation meeting between Chad and Sudan.

Spilling the news on state television, President Wade said the meeting, which seeks to bring peace the two neighbouring countries, will be graced by Presidents of Chad and Sudan, Idriss Deby and Omar el-Bashir. Other attendants include Presidents of Gabon and Tanzania [Omar Bongo and Jakaya Kikwete], the outgoing Chairman of African Union Commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré and United Nations chief, Ban Ki-moon.

President Wade - whose country hosts the Islamic conference between 8 and 14 March - expressed concern about the long climate of mistrusts and tense relations between Chad and Sudan. The two countries continue to trade accusations against each other of supporting armed militias to destabilise each either sides.

A rebel incursion in the Chadian capital N’Djamena last month further strained relations between the two countries. Chad crushed the rebels, accusing the Sudanese government of harbouring its opponents in a bid to dislodge Mr Deby from power.

Chadian parliament had extended a state of emergency by 15 days with effect from 1 March. Opposition deputies abstained from voting, in protest against the disappearance of some opposition leaders after the 3 February attack.

Under renewed emergency curtails movement of people and cars, maintains mid-night-to-dawn curfew as well as temporarily suspends civil and political rights. It also sanctions security officers to censor the private and public media. The private media said until the "illegal censorship" is lifted, it would continue the media blackout.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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