Chad and Niger promise new life for the G5 Sahel despite the departure of Mali
President of the Chadian transition Mahamat Idriss Déby (right) and Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, during their joint press conference on July 13, 2022 in Ndjamena.
© Djimet Wiche / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
Arrived Tuesday July 12 and left Wednesday July 13 in the evening, the president of Niger Mohamed Bazoum, was in Ndjamena for “
a visit of work and friendship
”.
This is his second stay in Chad since taking office.
During a press conference held at the Chadian presidency on Wednesday July 13, he and his Chadian counterpart Mahamat Idriss Déby discussed at length the fight against terrorism in the region, Mali's withdrawal from the G5 Sahel and the Chadian transition.
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With our correspondent in Ndjamena,
Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula
During a press conference on Wednesday July 13, the two heads of state wanted to show that they are united in the fight against terrorism.
A struggle which, according to them, goes through the G5 Sahel.
But the joint force has been "
in difficulty
"
since the withdrawal from Mali
, according to the president of the transitional military council in Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby:
“
We regret this withdrawal, but we are still optimistic, we hope that Mali will reconsider the decision it took.
Because the fight against terrorism is a noble fight, but it is also a fight that a country cannot do alone.
»
In Niger, where several terrorist groups are active, attacks have multiplied in recent months.
For the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum, it is urgent to breathe
new life into the G5 Sahel
:
We must therefore come together and make the G5 viable.
It has had a lot of difficulties so far, do not think that the G5 Sahel has been a model of success in achieving its objectives, neither economically nor even in terms of security.
Another security subject discussed during this meeting: the
reorganization of the Barkhane force in Niger
.
Mohamed Bazoum simply specified that "
the technical aspects are under discussion between the Nigerien and French soldiers
".
The barely mentioned Chadian transition
But the two heads of state quickly raised questions about
the Chadian transition
.
This in particular because, two days earlier, an
American senator
had asked in a resolution the Chadian president to organize elections in 2022, demanding the establishment
of “a real democracy at the end of the transition
”.
Questioned on this subject by a journalist, the response of Mahamat Idriss Déby was unequivocal: "
Chad is a sovereign country, it is not up to a senator who does not even know how to place Chad on a map and pushed by lobbying, which will guide us or tell us what to do with our country.
»
However, nothing has been said about the likely renewal of the transition period, which is due to end in just over three months.
The opposition criticizes the lack of firmness of Mohamed Bazoum
Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum said he trusted the Chadian people.
“
I am convinced that countries like Niger will be called upon to contribute some of the lessons they have learned from their experiences.
Between President Mahamat Idriss Déby and me, there is a very fluid relationship, and if we have advice to give, I'm sure we won't spare it.
»
Words that lack firmness, according to the opposition.
This recalls that the President of Niger had consulted the political class at the start of the transition and had concluded that it was necessary to quickly open a national dialogue in Chad.
►
To read also:
Chad: the participants in the negotiations in Doha are torn on the draft agreement
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Chad
Niger
Mahamat Idriss Deby
mohamed bazoum
G5 Sahel
sahel
Terrorism
Defense
mali