Sudan, France agree to cooperate for stability in Chad

April 22, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and France agreed to cooperate together to bring stability to Chad following the death of President Idriss Deby on the battlefield in a fight against rebels.

Jean Michel Dumond, French Special Envoy to Sudan met on Thursday with the First Vice Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” to discuss the situation in Chad.

The meeting comes as Mahamat Idriss Deby was appointed by the army as the head of the transitional military council.

Also, France’s Foreign Minister Jean Yes Le Drian voiced support to the installation of a military council led by the son of the slain president stressing “There are exceptional circumstances”.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dumond told reporters that he met with the senior Sudanese official at the request of his government to discuss the situation in Chad.

The French diplomat is visiting Khartoum for talks with government officials over an economic conference Paris prepare to host next month.

He said France and Sudan are concerned by the situation and chair the same objective concerning the stability of Chad.

“We support the transitional council but we hope it will lead swiftly and peacefully to democratic transition,” he emphasized.

Dumond pointed out that the Sudanese example of a transitional authority including civilians and military can inspire the Chadians to bring peace and achieve stability.

“We are in agreement to use all the contacts we have in Chad to convince everyone to make the necessary efforts to achieve peaceful and swift transition in Chad” he further said.

The Chadian military council vowed to hold general elections in the country within 18 months.

Armed groups, however, denounced Mahamat Idriss Deby’s appointment as head of state and announced they would continue to fight the new government.

“Chad is not a monarchy. There can be no dynastic devolution of power in our country,” the rebels said in a statement on Tuesday, vowing to press their fight for the capital.

“The forces of the Front for Change and Concord are heading toward N’Djaména at this very moment. With confidence, but above all with courage and determination,” said the statement.

(ST)