By Adesina Soyooye
Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described the late Chadian President Idriss Deby as a leader who made appreciable contributions efforts to stabilise the Sahel region and bring peace to the continent.
Jonathan said this in a statement to commiserate with the Government and people of Chad over the death, on Tuesday, of their President.
Deby died on Tuesday, according to a statement by the Army, of injuries sustained in a battle with rebel army. He was in the battle field with the troops, something he did often. He had been the President of Chad for 30 years, and had won the Presidential election for the sixth time on Monday April 19. He was billed to give a victory speech on Tuesday, buy instead, decided to go to the battle front with his troops. He was shot and died of the injuries.
The Chadian Army which has suspended the Legislative arm of Government has set up an Army Council to rule the Country for 18 months, organise an election, and hand over to a democratic Government. The Council is headed by the late President’s son, a four star General.
Following is the text of Dr. Jonathan’s condolence message:
“I am saddened by the sudden death of Chad’s President Idriss Déby. As a leader, he made great efforts to stabilise the Sahel Region and bring peace to the continent.
“ Through the Multinational Joint Task Force, the late President Déby, and the Republic of Chad partnered with Nigeria and our neighbours to address issues of terrorism and other challenges affecting the Lake Chad Region.
“He played a prominent role on the African continent, and his Chairmanship of the African Union saw the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which the Republic of Chad ratified under his leadership.
“I will remember him for the role he played in helping our two nations build positive cooperation that mutually benefited our peoples, and his death is mourned.
“On behalf of my family, and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I condole with the Government and people of the Republic of Chad over his death, and pray for peace, progress and prosperity for Chad.”
