Sudan

Government cuts ties with Chad as rebels near capital

Article published on the 2008-05-11 Latest update 2008-06-16 13:10 TU

Jem fighters
(Photo: AFP)

Sudan has ended official contact with Chad, accusing its government of supporting the Darfur-based rebels of the Justice and Equality movement (Jem) which has launched an offensive aimed at the capital, Khartoum. The city is under curfew and Jem claims that its fighters have entered it. The government says that they are in the nearby city of Omdurman.

Khartoum claims to have fought off the Jem attack, which aimed to topple the government. But it indefinitely extended a curfew, claiming that it is hunting down fleeing rebels.

Diplomats say that movements are restricted and the Egyptian news agency, Mena, says that the airport is closed.

The government accuses Chad's president of being behind the latest assault.

"The attempt by President Idriss Deby to destabilise Sudan has failed," senior ruling party official Kamal Obeid declared, while foreign Ministry official Ali Yousif claims to have evidence of communication between the rebels and Chad's government and its embassy in Khartoum.

In February, Chad accused Khartoum of helping rebels who stormed into its capital, Ndjamena, reaching as far as the gates of the presidential palace.