Rapprochement with Russia not at expense of another partner – Chad’s top diplomat

Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Chad’s Foreign Minister, indicated Monday January 29 that last week trip by the country’s transitional leader to Russia was meant to diversify partners, not exclude others.

Mahamat Idriss Deby met last week with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a visit that his office said was to strengthen ties with Russia.

Chad is a key partner to western powers namely France in the Sahel region. Paris had backed the Chadian leader’s father Idriss Deby Itno who led the central African country for decades until his death in April 2021.

“It has no other purpose than to diversify our relationship. Contrary to what I’ve heard. It’s not about replacing one partner with another. It’s not about letting go of another partner to conquer another. There’s no question of dependence or influence. Our relationships with our former or traditional partners remain the same,” Annadif said about Deby’s visit.

“It’s true that since the war in Ukraine, there have been quite a few problems between some of our partners and Russia, but that’s their business. We defend the interests of our country, and they defend the interests of their country, and that doesn’t stop us from being partners,” he added.
Deby’s trip came as Russia is steadfastly returning to the continent after several decades of absence. Moscow has so far bolstered ties with Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Central African Republic, in many areas including security, defense, agriculture and energy.