Young Chadian leader sees partner, role model in Sisi

CAIRO  — On Jan. 5, Mahamat ibn Idriss Deby Itno, head of Chad’s Transitional Army Council, arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The go to raised questions on its motives and implications in addition to the character of Egypt’s position in Chad.

Deby wrote on Twitter, “This official go to falls throughout the dynamic framework of consolidating our bilateral cooperation, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and friendship, and exploring new horizons for partnership.”

The Chadian presidency tweeted, “Chad and Egypt are strengthening ties, as cooperation and friendship have been well-established for a very long time,” noting that the go to was meant to strengthen cooperation and solidify the friendship with Cairo.

The go to lasted for 2 days. Deby first met with Sisi, and the 2 mentioned methods to advance bilateral cooperation between the 2 international locations, particularly by reactivating the joint bilateral committee, a Jan. 5 assertion by Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady stated.

Sisi reportedly burdened Egypt’s keenness to supply full help to Chad in the course of the present transitional part. “Cairo is all for persevering with cooperation between the 2 international locations for the event and refinement of Chadian cadres in varied disciplines.”

He additionally spoke of cooperation to “maximize safety, intelligence and army cooperation to fight the problem of terrorism and extremist ideology,” in accordance with the Egyptian assertion.

In the meantime, Deby praised the shut relations between the 2 brotherly international locations, stressing his nation’s keenness to activate and develop bilateral cooperation with Egypt.

On this context, Ahmed al-Maslamani, a former adviser to Sisi, advised Al-Monitor that the go to is an “wonderful step and a reassuring improvement in Egyptian-Chadian relations,” including that Deby requested cooperation on all ranges however particularly when it comes to safety and intelligence as a result of the 2 international locations have frequent enemies: terrorism and poverty.

He famous that Egypt is looking for to strengthen its relations with Deby, particularly for the reason that present transitional interval is establishing the following authorities in Chad.

“Chad impacts Egyptian nationwide safety, and Cairo believes in N’Djamena’s important position in combating terrorism and curbing the exercise of extremist armed teams in Africa, starting with Boko Haram on the Atlantic Ocean, by way of Mali and the Lake Chad area, all the way in which to the Islamic State in Somalia on the Indian Ocean,” Maslamani defined.

Egypt’s coverage towards Africa has modified since Sisi got here to energy in 2014. It grew to become pushed by enhancing its picture and defending its pursuits within the Horn of Africa to strengthen its place on the problem of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Nevertheless, within the Sahel-Saharan area, it has centered on enhancing safety and intelligence cooperation and presenting itself as a mannequin for combating terrorism.

That’s the reason the sudden loss of life of Idriss Deby — the daddy — in April 2021 because of accidents he sustained in his battle with rebels raised Cairo’s considerations and fears since he was an in depth ally of Egypt.

Deby has since seized energy and pledged to carry free and democratic elections on the conclusion of an 18-month transitional interval. In the meantime, he appears to be following in his father’s footsteps in consolidating his relationship with Sisi.

Chadian journalist and political analyst Jebren Issa advised Al-Monitor, “It’s clear that Deby seeks Cairo’s help if he’s to run within the upcoming elections.”  

He added, “Deby views Egypt as a pivotal participant in Chad’s stability, as a consequence of its political and financial affect in Africa and the Arab world and the impression of Egyptian coverage on Chad’s neighboring international locations akin to Sudan and Libya.”

Roland Lombardi, a historian specializing within the Center East (particularly Egypt) and an impartial geopolitical guide related to the JFC Conseil evaluation group, stated this was an important go to for the Chadian chief. “This reveals to begin with Sisi’s more and more rising diplomatic position, as he has turn out to be important as a number one actor, mediator, middleman, even peacemaker in lots of points within the Center East (i.e., the Abraham Accords, the Israeli-Palestinian battle specifically in Gaza and even in Syria) in addition to in Africa (i.e., Sudan and Chad).”

He added, “Sisi has succeeded in restoring Egypt’s highly effective place on the worldwide scene.”

Deby’s go to to Cairo got here a couple of days after he introduced an “inclusive nationwide dialogue” scheduled for Feb. 15 to attain reconciliation in his nation and pave the way in which for presidential and legislative elections.  

In August 2021, Deby fashioned a particular technical committee of political figures to dialogue with political and army actions. In November 2021, he ordered amnesty for tons of of political opponents so they might partake within the nationwide dialogue course of.

Deby allowed opposition events to carry conferences at the side of the transitional authorities’s persevering with to carry conferences to advertise the upcoming dialogue and encourage participation in it.

In a speech to the folks on the event of the New Yr on Dec. 31, Deby stated that the upcoming dialogue can be a “sovereign dialogue with out taboos” and every part that he concludes can be “totally carried out.” On the finish of this dialogue, “a brand new structure shall be accepted by way of a referendum, and clear, free, democratic and credible normal elections shall be organized.”

Issa famous that the Chadian transitional authorities desires Sisi to mediate so as to urge armed actions and events in exile to barter with the transitional authorities on the nationwide dialogue convention that shall be hosted by Doha in February.

He identified that the Togo Alliance, probably the most hard-line wing of the opposition, nonetheless refuses to take part within the nationwide dialogue, saying that the upcoming convention shall be a failure.

“Egypt has a powerful presence in Libya and Sudan and will take motion to … contribute to the success of Chadian reconciliation in cooperation with the Qatari authorities, particularly after ties between Cairo and Doha enhance,” Issa stated.

Lombardi famous, “Regardless of the alliance of a number of insurgent actions, Deby nonetheless managed to impose a type of dialogue for the democratic transition.”

He added, “The rebels are weakened as a result of their foremost supporters (Turkey and Qatar) are extra remoted and face nice financial problem. That is notably true for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has been pressured in current months to place a cease to his inclinations in Africa, the Mediterranean [and] the Center East.”

Lombardi added, “The Inclusive Nationwide Dialogue can thus succeed since Deby’s enemies shall be pressured to make concessions and even compromises. Above all, as soon as once more and discreetly, Cairo is a stakeholder within the ongoing discussions.”

Talking about Deby’s future, he stated, “He has the desire and the power to manage the nation. However he should not fall into the pitfalls that African leaders fell for prior to now. Exactly, he should be impressed by Sisi’s rule, which doesn’t rely fully on brute pressure as some say.”

Lombardi burdened, “Like Sisi and even Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, who understood the issue of their respective international locations, Deby should modernize the economic system of his nation and particularly battle corruption.”