The National Dialogue has been boycotted by several movements.
Chad’s 21-day national dialogue began in N’Djamena on Saturday after the Doha Peace Accord between political and military movements was signed in Doha earlier this month.
Qatar was represented in the Chadian capital by the Emir’s National Security Advisor Ahmed Al-Misnad and Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Ahmed Al-Hammadi, according to the Gulf country’s foreign ministry.
In his speech, Al-Hammadi reiterated “Qatar’s support for inclusive national reconciliation in Chad so that the people of Chad can enjoy security and stability.”
Qatari officials also met with Chadian Transitional Military Council (TMC) President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno to discuss bilateral cooperation.
The national dialogue follows several delays in five months of peacebuilding talks involving more than 50 movements that stalled before the signing of the Doha Peace Accord on August 8.
The signing of the agreement led to a ceasefire between the two sides during the war.
More than 1,400 delegates from various political parties and movements were present at Saturday’s talks, with talks set to begin on Sunday or Monday, AFP said.
The National Dialogue aims to prepare war for the long-promised “free and democratic” elections after 18 months of military rule. This is done under the deadlines given by France and the African Union.
The signing of the agreement was a key element in starting talks in N’Djamena to ensure the participation of all movements, but a major rebel group, Chad’s Front for Change and Accord (FACT), could not join the agreement.
The movement led a military offensive last year that ended with the death of former leader Idris Deby in April 2021, after which his son, the current TMC leader, took power. came. The late president ruled Chad for his 30 years.
The 38-year-old leader has since dissolved parliament while promising elections by the end of the October interim period.
“We will organize this dialogue to turn the page of transition and set up a democratic regime and regime change,” Abderrahman Kuramallah, communications minister and government spokesman, told AFP.
Coolamara called the national dialogue “a pivotal moment for Chad’s future”.
growing opposition
FACT also boycotted the National Dialogue, which it said was “pre-distorted.”
The Wakit Tama Movement, which consists of opposition parties and civil society groups, has also refused to participate in the talks, citing human rights violations by the ruling party’s military.
Following the call of Transformers Party leader Success Masura, there was a civil resistance by Transformers Party supporters.
In April, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating human rights situation, accusing Debbie of “arresting dissidents and intimidating critics across the country.”
those claims rejected By Debbie’s ministers.
There were concerns about the possibility of Debbie running for president again, even though she had previously promised not to.
Chad has faced decades of political unrest with heightened tensions since the murder of its former leader.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Chad’s TMC on Friday ahead of the national dialogue, stressing the importance of participation of “all segments” of Chadian society.
“The Secretary-General notes that the Dialogue offers a historic opportunity to build a new foundation for Chad’s stability through strengthening democracy and good governance,” said Guterres’ deputy spokesperson. Farhan Haq said.
