DRC President Félix Tshisekedi named mediator in Chadian crisis

The Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, appointed Tuesday the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix Tshisekedi, mediator in the ongoing crisis in Chad.

The regional bloc held Tuesday its second extraordinary summit with Félix Tshisekedi, Chad’s leader Mahamat Deby, President of Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera and Congo Brazzaville leader Dénis Sassou N’guesso.

The one-day summit in Kinshasa was convened in the wake of the death of more than 50 demonstrators in Chad during a protest called by many parties and movements opposed to the extension of the transition in Chad.

A national and inclusive dialogue held among stakeholders, except the main rebellion group, Front pour l’alternance et la concorde au Tchad (FACT), has extended Mahamat’s stay in power for additional 24 months after the 18-month transition he pledged following the death of his father last year in April.

“The stakes are high and the challenges to be met are major, as it is now a matter of putting the transition back on track with the Chadian people, taking into account their aspirations, the values and ideals of the African Union and the ECCAS, as well as the fundamental principles that guide their actions in such circumstances,” said Tshisekedi who chairs the regional bloc.