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Chad says Sudan-backed rebels attack border town


    N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad said rebels acting under orders from Sudan's government attacked an eastern town on Tuesday after crossing the border in violation of a peace accord signed last month.

    "Today, April 1, 2008, at 0640 hours, in violation ofdifferent accords signed, notably the one signed in Dakar, themercenaries crossed the border under orders from the Sudaneseregime to attack the locality of Ade," the Chadian DefenceMinistry said in a statement.

    "Government forces have pushed back the enemy who are onthe run," it added, without giving more details.

    The ministry said it considered the Chadian rebel attack aviolation by Sudan of a non-aggression pact signed in Senegallast month by Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and hisChadian counterpart Idriss Deby.

    In the Dakar accord, brokered by Senegalese presidentAbdoulaye Wade and witnessed by United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the leaders of Sudan and Chadpledged not to allow their territories to be used by rebelshostile to their governments.

    Chadian rebels had rejected the Dakar accord, saying theywould not halt their campaign to overthrow Deby by force.

    (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say onthe top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/)

    (Writing by Pascal Fletcher)