Sudan, Chad to Create Joint Border Force

Sudan and Chad plan to create a joint security and peacekeeping force along their common border, a regional mediation group in the standoff between the two countries said Tuesday. Confirming a breakthrough in talks to resolve acrimony between the two neighbours, the mediation group said Sudan and Chad would formally restore diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors before the negotiations reconvene in October. Sudan severed diplomatic ties with Chad last May, accusing N’djamena of backing rebels across the border in its western region of Darfur.[PE]