Khartoum: Rhino – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chad on Sunday condemned as irresponsible the threats made by Sudan’s assistant army commander, Lieutenant General Yasser El Atta, to strike the airports of N’Djamena and Um Gress. It said in a statement on Monday that Atta’s statements could be interpreted as a declaration of war, with all the repercussions that this would entail.

The statement read: ‘Such aggressive rhetoric fuels a climate of dangerous tension across the region. Chad is a country of peace. It cannot tolerate any form of aggression directed against it, whatever its source. If its territory or security is again compromised, Chad will respond in a firm and proportionate manner to the nature of the aggression.’

‘For more than sixty years, Sudanese regimes, instigated by irresponsible domestic political calculations, have repeatedly sought to destabilize Chad by supporting various rebel groups and engaging in offensive operations, including support for the terrorist group Boko Haram. Despite these unacceptable attacks, Chad has never chosen a violent response. Thanks to divine providence and the mobilization of our defence and security forces, our country has always been able to survive. It is important to emphasize that the current situation, unfortunate in all aspects, is a direct consequence of the irresponsibility of the new military leaders in Sudan.’

‘These statements, made by a senior Sudanese official, come at a time when Chad is making great efforts to support brotherly Sudan in its plight, by receiving tens of thousands of refugees and intensifying mediation and reconciliation initiatives, with the aim of ending the disastrous civil war that is dividing this country,’ the Chadian Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

Under these circumstances, Chad considers itself concerned with only one task: Helping the people of Sudan. Moreover, as a testament to its long tradition of hospitality and solidarity, Chad continues to welcome Sudanese refugees by the thousands on its territory, in difficult humanitarian conditions. This behavior testifies to the nobility of its commitment to peace, solidarity and stability in the region.’

‘Instead of making irresponsible threats, General Yasser El Atta and the other parties to the conflict in Sudan should focus without delay on the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue in order to reach a viable and lasting political solution,’ the Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

Chad reiterated its willingness to actively cooperate with all parties concerned, in order to contribute to a swift return to peace in Sudan.