Sudanese leaders, French envoy discuss peace in Chad
May 16, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Head of the Sovereign Council discussed with Bruno Foucher, French Special Envoy to the Sahel the ongoing peace talks for peace in Chad, said the Sudanese presidency on Monday.
Qatar is hosting peace talks between the ruling military council and some 50 rebel groups. The Doha process, launched on March 13, aims to bring the armed factions to sign a peace agreement and participate in an inclusive National Dialogue in Ndjamena to adopt a new constitution and prepare for elections.
Earlier this month, the ruling military council in Chad Qatari decided to postpone the dialogue conference scheduled for May 10, upon the request of the mediation and France because the armed groups and the government failed to strike a deal.
Foucher discussed with al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo Hemetti Sudan’s contribution to ensuring the success of the Doha process, according to the Sovereign Council.
Al-Burhan reaffirmed Sudan’s keenness and support for the stability in Chad, reads a statement issued after the meeting. Also, he welcomed the Qatari mediated process.
The French envoy, in addition, discussed ways to enhance security in the border area as there are growing fears that rebel groups seek to operate from the troubled Darfur region.
In this respect, al-Burhan pointed out to the Sudanese-Chadian joint forces says it serves “as a model for bilateral security cooperation in the African continent”.
Already on March 31, the head of the Sovereign Council flew to Ndjamena to reiterate his commitment to preserving border stability and support for Mahamat Deby the head of the Military Transitional Council in Chad.
Deby had ordered to deploy more troops on the border with Sudan to prevent the spread of West Darfur tribal clashes into his country, during a visit to the Abéché a border town from the Chadian side on March 15.
Foucher has been closely following the peace process as he pays regular visits to Doha for consultations with the Qatari mediators and the Chadian stakeholders.
The French envoy discussed the situation in Libya and the region with the Sudanese senior officials.
The statement added that the visiting diplomat discussed joint cooperation between Khartoum and Paris to achieve regional stability without elaborating.
In May 2021, the two countries agreed to enhance security cooperation to preserve stability in the Central African Republic but the political crisis in Khartoum delayed the implementation of this deal.
(ST)