Sudan, Chad agree to end proxy war

The presidents of Sudan and Chad have agreed on a series of unprecedented steps to end years of hostilities between their countries.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Chadian President Idriss Deby pledged to normalize relations on Tuesday after meeting in Khartoum.

“I came with an open heart and hands outstretched to turn a new page in Sudanese-Chadian relations,” Deby told a gathering of Chadian and Sudanese nationals in the Sudanese capital.

The two African leaders said they plan joint projects to help those affected by the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, which borders Chad.

Sudan and Chad also agreed to end their proxy wars and to work together to rebuild their border areas.

Analysts say the normalization of ties between Khartoum and N’Djamena could end the cycle of insecurity in the border region.

Darfur has suffered from a devastating civil war since 2003.

For years, Chad and Sudan have had very tense relations, with each country accusing the other of trying to destabilize its government.

Relations between the two neighbors improved late last year following high-level talks about ending the rebel attacks and a new agreement to create a joint border security force.