Buhari, Chad President: Sudan crisis’ll ve repercussions on neighbouring countries

President Muhammadu Buhari has described as unwelcome, the ongoing fight, which erupted in the Sudanese capital between the military and powerful para-military, Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Speaking during a visit to him by the Transitional President of Chad, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby-Itno in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, April 16, Buhari described the fighting that claimed tens of lives in Sudan as unfortunate.

Buhari and Deby-Itno, however, called on all neighbouring countries and the international community to prevail on the warring sides to stop fighting and negotiate.

“The situation in Sudan is unfortunate,” President Buhari, adding that Sudan deserved peace after all that it had gone through in the past.

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According to a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President commended the Chadian leader for his “efforts to see a calming down and for them to live peacefully. But you have to keep trying.”

On his part, Deby-Itno told President Buhari that the situation in Sudan was worrisome, adding: “Unfortunately, if not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighbouring countries.”

Speaking on the steps his country took in response to the crisis, President Deby-Itno said: “we have closed our borders to Sudan and reinforced our security.

“I have spoken to the leaders of both factions. If everyone tries, it will calm down the situation. African leaders, especially the elders (President Buhari), Macky Sall (Senegal) and AU  Chairperson Azali Assoumani (Comoros) need to step in. For two days, they have been killing themselves.”

He, therefore, wished Buhari a successful Umrah and “all the best as you prepare to leave office”.

The Star