Idriss Derby A Stabilising Agent In Sahel Region-Goodluck Jonathan
A former president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has described the slain president of Chad, Idriss Derby, as a stabilising agent in the Sahel Region who tried to bring peace to the entire African Continent.
Jonathan, in a Facebook message on Wednesday, said he was saddened by the sudden death of the former Chadian leader who was reportedly killed by rebels at a frontline war on Tuesday.
The former Nigerian president further talked about the role played by the late President Derby in addressing the issue of terrorism and other challenges affecting the Lake Chad Region.
“I am saddened by the sudden death of Chad’s President Idriss Déby. As a leader, he made great efforts to stabilise the Sahel Region and bring peace to the continent.
“Through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), the late President Déby, and the Republic of Chad partnered with Nigeria and our neighbours to address issues of terrorism and other challenges affecting the Lake Chad Region.
“He played a prominent role on the African continent, and his chairmanship of the African Union saw the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which the Republic of Chad ratified under his leadership,” Jonathan wrote.
Former President Jonathan also said he would always remember the late President Derby “for the role he played in helping our two nations [Nigeria and Chad] build positive cooperation that mutually benefited our peoples, and his death is mourned.
“On behalf of my family, and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I condole with the government and people of the Republic of Chad over his death, and pray for peace, progress and prosperity for Chad.”