SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SIGNING OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHAD, SUDAN

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the bilateral agreement between Chad and Sudan signed in Riyadh on 3 May 2007 by Presidents Idriss Déby and Omer al-Bashir, under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.  The agreement is a positive step towards normalizing the relations between Chad and Sudan, which is a very important factor in resolving the tragic conflicts in both Darfur and eastern Chad.  It is now crucial for the parties to honour their agreements and, in close collaboration with the United Nations and the African Union, to work together to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the efforts of the King of Saudi Arabia to facilitate the conclusion of this agreement, and commends his constructive role in addressing the overall situation in the region.

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