Rising tension between Chad and Sudan was damaging both the peace process and deployment of the UN African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to the region, UN Envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson said during a one-day visit to Juba on 17 January.

"We hope both the Government of the Sudan and the Government of Chad will do every thing to reduce the tensions," said Mr. Eliasson, who was accompanied by AU Envoy to Darfur Salim Ahmed Salim.

The two envoys were rounding up a week-long trip to Sudan as part of their joint efforts to re-energize the Darfur peace process and prepare the ground for substantive talks. They met with First Vice-President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Taskforce for Darfur and the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdul Sahfie faction.

Mr. Eliasson noted that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) was committed to working with the UN and AU in bringing peace to Darfur. Mr. Salim said UNAMID was up and functioning, but stressed the need for an inclusive political process that would draw in all Darfur rebel factions.