afrol News, 10 February - Sudanese and Chadian authorities have agreed to end their proxy wars and engage in direct talks and joint development projects to rebuild their war-affected border areas.

Sudan and Chad have for many years been in a bitter row, trading accusation that each country is supporting rebels to destabilise their respective governments.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said a visit from Chad's President Idriss Deby had "put an end to all the problems" between the countries.

Mr Deby also urged Chad's rebels, based in Sudan, to lay down their arms.

He further called on the armed Chadian opposition groups, who have camps in Sudan's Darfur region, to take part in Chad's elections and win power through the ballot box, not with arms.

"I will give you security guarantees so you can return to your country and rejoin civil society," Mr Déby told the Chadian "mercenaries", who in 2008 besieged the presidential palace in Ndjamena.

Last month the two neighbours agreed to joint military patrols in the area either side of the border, and to remove the rebel troops they have influence over from near the frontier.

President Al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes committed in Darfur is standing in Sudan's first democratic elections in 24 years, which are due in April.

The United Nations estimates 300 000 died in Darfur's war, which began after mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the Arab dominated government in early 2003.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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