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Chad and Sudan have taken a major step toward bringing peace to Darfur, one of the world's most troubled regions, with an agreement to normalize relations. They have committed themselves to conducting direct and constructive dialogue on issues of mutual concern. They also agreed to prevent armed groups from using territory of either state against the interests of the other, and to establish mechanisms to monitor their common border.
Relations between the governments in Khartoum and N'Djamena have been tense due to the conflict in the western Sudanese region of Darfur and a 3-year struggle by rebels in Chad to topple President Idriss Deby. Each government has accused the other of supporting the armed rebellion against it, conducted mainly in raids across their shared – and desolate -- border.
The United States welcomes the January 15 agreement. It believes that normalization of Chad-Sudan relations provides an opportunity to advance the international effort to finally bring peace and stability to Darfur. However, Sudan and Chad must take the crucial next step by contributing actively and appropriately to these peace efforts.
For its part, the U.S. stands ready to support implementation of the agreement, at the request of the signatories. It remains committed to a political settlement in Darfur and will work closely with its partners in the region to secure a sustainable and just peace in Darfur.
