afrol News, 15 September - Sudan and Chad have finally agreed to resume diplomatic relations and deploy African peacekeeping troops along their shared border to prevent rebel attacks, Sudan's local media reported.

According to final communiqué issued at the end of the meeting by foreign ministers of Sudan and Chad in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, Sudan reaffirmed its readiness to resume diplomatic relations with Chad which accepted restoration of bilateral relations with Khartoum.

"The two countries further agreed to exchange ambassadors before the 6th meeting of the Contact Group to be held in Ndjamena, Chad," statement read.

Two nations cut off relations after Sudan accused Chad of supporting a rebel attack on its capital city in May. Sudan accused neighbouring Chad of supporting fighters and cut ties immediately. Chad, in turn, closed its border with Sudan and halted bilateral trade.

In early August, Sudanese authorities said there were plans to reopen its embassy in Chad, but no timetable was given.

Libya and Republic of Congo are charged by the meeting to coordinate the Ambassadors exchange between the two countries.

Deng Alor, Sudanese foreign minister, said: "Chad and Sudan have had close and excellent relations as neighbours. The issue of Darfur has negatively affected this relationship. I believe that it is possible to improve the relation with Chad."

According to a non-aggression pact signed by Sudan and Chad last March in Dakar, a contact group was formed to implement the accord. The African committee discussed during last five months ways to deploy observer teams and to contain further deteriorations.

Both parties also agreed to deploy African military monitors from the group's seven countries on borders between two countries, with an annual budget that might reach up to US $30 million.

The meeting also discussed findings of experts on defense, security and intelligence on deployment of border patrols between Sudan and Chad. The experts have held their third meeting two days before 10 to 11 September in Asmara.

"The Meeting agreed to take the minutes of the Third Meeting of Experts on Defense, Security and Intelligence as guideline for the provision of budget and logistics and the organization of the command centers to the observer force to be deployed on the Chad-Sudan border," said a statement.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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