President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed door with Gen. Mahamat Deby, President of Chad’s Transitional Military Council, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Deby, who took over the mantle of leadership in Chad after the death of his father on April 19, 2021, is on one-day official visit to Nigeria.
Deby’s visit to Nigeria was aimed at formally introducing himself to Buhari, who is considered to be one of the most influential leaders in the West African sub-region and Africa at large.
The two leaders might use the opportunity of their meeting to deliberate on menace of terrorism and arms proliferation threatening the peace and security of the sub-region.
Nigeria and Chad are sharing sharing boundaries in the Sahel region.
Deby reports that Deby had earlier visited Republic of Niger on May 11.
Meanwhile, a statement by the spokesperson of the the president, Garba Shehu said Buhari has pledged to help Chad to transit to democracy in 18 months time.
“We are bound together by culture and geography, and we will help in all ways we can.
“Nigerians know and appreciate the role Chad played in helping us to combat terrorism, we will continue the collaboration.”
The Nigerian president described the late Marshal Idriss Itno as his personal friend and a friend of Nigeria, noting that Chad had been very steadfast in defending Nigeria.
He said that Chad should, therefore, not hesitate to ask for help in areas it would deem necessary.
Buhari said that Nigeria would help to strengthen the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
“We will also help you to ensure a smooth transition in 18 months, as you have promised your people,’’ he added.
The transitional leader had thanked Nigeria for solidarity it showed Chad after the passage of the former president.
He said that the main objective of the Transitional Military Council “are security and cohesion of our country”.
He expressed commitment to free and fair polls in 18 months.
“You were very close to Marshal Itno. I’m here to reaffirm that relationship, and for you to support our transition.
“We rely on our brother country, Nigeria, as we have shared history, culture and geography.
“We are ready to be guided by you in our journey to constitutional rule,” he said.
