Sudan and Chad talk over refugee crisis

11 May 2004
Representatives of Sudan and Chad are in talks over the continued violence by Sudanese Arab militiamen, which has now spilled over the border into Chad and threatened relations between the two African neighbours. Sudan's foreign minister said there was 'sufficient political will' on both sides for a resolution.

According to Chad's defence minister, Emmanuel Ndingar, Chadian troops killed 60 Arab militia after a raid on a Chadian village last week. He confirmed that clashes last week also claimed the lives of one Chadian soldier and seven civilians in the village of Djanga, eastern Chad.

Around 130,000 Sudanese refugees are estimated to have crossed the border into Chad, fleeing the government-backed Arab militia known as the Janjaweed. However, the Janjaweed have continued raiding refugees from Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur who are now in Chad. Despite assurances by West Darfur governor Sulieman Abdallah Adam that it was safe for the refugees to return, many refuse.

The United Nations accused Sudan of tolerating 'ethnic cleansing' in Darfur, a charge denied by the Sudanese government.

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