Nigeria First (Abuja)
25 February 2008
Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has disclosed that Nigeria will initiate comprehensive peace proposals towards finding a lasting solution to the conflict between Sudan and Chad.
The President made the disclosure on February 25 in Abuja while responding to a message from the Chadian President, Idriss Deby, seeking Nigeria's leadership in resolving the conflicts in the sub-region.
"Nigeria will look at the possibility of initiating a comprehensive peace settlement involving Sudan, Chad and the entire sub-region. We recognise that the problem of Chad cannot be divorced from the situation in Darfur, so we will work for a solution together", he stated.
He said Nigeria's concern at the attempt to overthrow the legitimate government of Chad prompted the dispatch of a high-powered solidarity delegation to President Deby, and stated that the country would never support any attempt to forcefully overthrow constituted governments.
As part of efforts to help restore normalcy to Chad, the President said he had already approved the delivery of forty trucks of petroleum products, as well as $2 million to the Government and people of Chad to assist the rehabilitation and resettlement of those affected by the events of February 1 - 2, 2008.
President Yar'Adua also welcomed the forthcoming meeting of the Nigeria - Chad Joint Commission, assuring that Nigeria would use the meeting to further deepen relations.
Earlier, the Special Envoy and Minister of Infrastructure of Chad, Mr. Adoum Youousmi, said President Idriss Deby wanted Nigeria to lead the peace effort to restore peace in the sub-region.
He expressed his country's gratitude to Nigeria for the long history of assistance and support at all times.
Also today, President Yar'Adua received two special messages from President Mamadou Tandja of Niger Republic, briefing him about the forthcoming meetings and activities of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Niger Basin Authority.
Mr. Aminou Tassiou, Minister of Water Resources and Mr. Amadou Boubacar Cisse, former Prime Minister of Niger delivered the messages.
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This is a welcomed and progressive approach by the President trying to mediate for peace and giving help to those unfortunate civilians who got caught in the mess. However, in order to make a positive impact on the mediation, a proper and very careful analysis of the situation is very necessary. There are very definitely two different and very separate issues involved, viz., the Sudan-Chad conflict which is not an open one, and the Sudan-Darfur conflict which is open and raging. These conflicts are worlds apart as to their source as well as to the possible approach to their solution. The Sudan-Chad conflict is no doubt more straight forward and, with both President of Sudan and President of Chad being members of AU, a quick solution should be possible with proper diplomatic efforts. The Sudan-Darfur conflict may not be all that easy, but definitely not impossible, to mediate because of the external players involved, especially the players that are backing and arming the rebels with the goal of separating the Souhern Sudan from the North. It may be difficult to convince such players that, like all peace loving human beings either in America or Europe or Asia, the people of Sudan are yawning for peace and not constant war that has lasted many generations. Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God!