UNITED NATIONS -- Improving the relationship between Sudan and Chad is crucial to achieving a durable solution to the conflict crippling Darfur, international mediators said Tuesday.
Jan Eliasson of the UN and Salim Ahmed Salim of the AU made the remarks after wrapping up two days of consultations in Geneva on renewed efforts to move the political process forward, which included the Security Council's permanent members, its African members, the European Union and neighbors of Sudan.
"The first step is, of course, to do whatever we and particularly the participants in this meeting can to facilitate the relationship between Chad and Sudan, which is basic for peace in Darfur," Eliasson told a press briefing after the meeting.
Last week the presidents of Chad and Sudan signed an agreement regarding reconciliation and the normalization of bilateral relations amid mounting concerns about the violence and instability along their common border.
Tensions have been high in the region in recent weeks. Around 10,000 have sought refuge in eastern Chad following a series of deadly air and land attacks by Sudanese Government forces and allied militiamen on towns and villages in West Darfur, with Chadian rebels also fighting their own government forces in the region.
Eliasson urged the countries and organizations participating in the two days of consultations this week to exert any influence they have over either the government or the rebel movements.
