PRESS STATEMENT on chad, darfur BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following statement to the press was delivered today by Security Council President Wang Guangya ( China):

The situation in Darfur and the mounting tension at the border between the Sudan and Chad was under consideration by the members of the Security Council.

The members of the Security Council express their deep concern regarding the deteriorating situation in Darfur and recent attacks by armed groups in Chad.  The members of the Security Council condemn the attacks on refugee camps.

The members of the Security Council condemn any attempt to seize power by force, pursuant to the resolution of Algiers adopted in 1999 by the African Union Organization and call on the rebels to put an end to violence and to participate in the democratic process.

The members of the Security Council urge the Governments of the Sudan and Chad to respect the Tripoli Declaration and Agreement of 8 February 2006 endorsed on 10 March 2006 by the forty-sixth meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and to fully implement the commitments made and to facilitate the work of the relevant follow-up mechanisms that have been agreed upon in the Tripoli Declaration and Agreement.

The members of the Security Council express support for the efforts of the African Union and invite the Secretary-General and the African Union to make available their good offices to address this crisis.

The members of the Security Council also urge the parties to the Abuja peace talks to conclude a peace agreement by 30 April, as called for by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, in order to contribute to the peace and stability of the entire region.

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For information media • not an official record