…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
During a meeting in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari and Transitional President of Chad, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, discussed the political crisis in Sudan.
Both leaders expressed their concerns over the ongoing fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, a powerful paramilitary group in Sudan’s capital.
To prevent the crisis from spreading into neighbouring countries, Deby-Itno stated that Chad had closed its borders to Sudan and reinforced security.
Buhari also revealed that he had spoken to the leaders of both factions and insisted that if everyone tries, the situation will calm down.
He urged African leaders, especially the elders, to step in and help resolve the crisis, which has claimed tens of lives.
The two leaders called on all neighbouring countries and the international community to intervene and persuade the warring factions to end the fighting and move into negotiation.
Buhari described the situation in Sudan as unfortunate, stating that the country deserves peace after all that it had gone through in the past.
Deby-Itno agreed with Buhari’s views, stating that the situation in Sudan is worrisome and could have serious repercussions on neighbouring countries if not addressed.
He also responded to Buhari’s lauding of his efforts to see a calming down in his country and for them to live peacefully, saying that they have to keep trying.
Buhari is currently in Saudi Arabia, where he is observing the lesser hajj.