The President of the Republic, Head of State, HE. Mohamed Bazoum returned to Niamey early yesterday evening, returning from N’Djamena, Chad, where he made a 48-hour working visit. He was welcomed when he got off the plane by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Mr. Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou.
During his stay in the Chadian capital, President Mohamed Bazoum was elevated by the President of the CMT, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, to the Dignity of Grand Cross in the National Order of Chad. It was also an opportunity for the two countries to sign a new security agreement.
During a joint press conference they moderated yesterday Wednesday, Presidents Mohamed Bazoum and Mahamat Idriss Deby spoke about the prospects for the G5 Sahel following Mali’s announcement of its decision to withdraw from this joint force. Thus, as we learn from an AFP dispatch, the leaders have promised to do everything to revitalize this force mobilized in the fight against terrorism in the Sahelian strip. ”The decision to withdraw Mali from the G5 Sahel is an episode that will be overtaken, there will soon be a meeting” between the four other allies in the G5 Sahel (Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania) ”to make so that the G5 Sahel is viable,” said President Mohamed Bazoum. ”We have not considered that it is over for the G5 Sahel, we are going to fight”.
The AFP dispatch continues by stating that, for his part, the President of the Transition of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, expressed his regret for the departure from Mali of the G5 Sahel force, while hoping for his return. . ”We remain optimistic and hope that he reconsiders his decision,” he said.
On another question relating to the road section between Niger and Chad, as well as the possibility of a railway project between the two countries, the ”Alwihda Info” site points out that, according to the president of the CMT, the work of the trans-Saharan road will start soon as far as Chad is concerned. “We are very advanced. All that is missing is a gap of 50 billion CFA francs. We are in discussions with our partners. Discussions are progressing very well. We hope to soon compensate for this gap which will link N’Djamena to Niamey,” said General Mahamat Idriss Deby.
It should be recalled that on Tuesday afternoon, the President of the CMT offered, on behalf of the Chadian people, a gift to President Mohamed Bazoum. These are camels, a symbolic gift but full of meanings in the Sahelian context. President Mohamed Bazoum, who appreciates the full value of this gesture, welcomed it greatly, emphasizing the solidity of the relations of friendship and brotherhood that exist between Chad and Niger.
Assane Soumana (Onep)
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