afrol News, 10 November - Sudan and Chad have finally restored diplomatic ties on Sunday with exchange of ambassadors after six months of political division.

Oil-producing neighbouring African countries broke ties six months ago when they traded accusations with each other of supporting insurgent groups on attacks. The cut was in May this year following an attack in Sudan's capital Khartoum, which was the closest rebels could have gone towards toppling Sudanese government.

Local media report said new ambassadors gave a joint press conference in Khartoum and described the move as first step in solving persistent crisis in war torn Darfur region.

"This is a historical day and we hope it will be the end of the terrible diplomatic tension that went on between two countries for six months," Abdullah al-Sheikh, Sudan's new ambassador to Chad said.

"My priority is to maintain the relations between the two countries and the two brotherly people," Ambassador al-Sheikh said.

His Chadian counterpart, Baharadine Haroune Ibrahim who had arrived in Sudan to take up his post said countries have historical ties. "If some problems arise then people should sit down and resolve them," he said.

Chadian ambassador to Sudan said restored relations would result to peace and harmony between two neighbours with common backgrounds.

Khartoum also confirmed exchange marked a full resumption of diplomatic relations, despite numerous problems that characterised ties with Chad.

"You cannot have ambassadors without having full diplomatic relations. There are many problems with many countries with which there are full diplomatic ties. That's why we have embassies," said foreign ministry official Ali Yousuf.

Prior to official resumption of relations, countries agreed to end media campaigns against each other in their respective presses.

Sudan has been on a diplomatic push to mend relations after chief prosecutor of International Criminal Court requested an arrest warrant in July against president Omar al-Beshir for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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