Russia -Chad: new role in the stability of the region
Abdallah Rizk Abusimaza
As it seems, Chad was not an island of stability amid a raging ocean of violence, conflicts and small wars. The apparent Chadian peace continued to be interspersed with internal unrest, at least, which had a significant impact on the countrys political development, including the status quo, created by the killing of former President Idriss Déby. However, Chad is engaged in efforts to support peace, stability and security beyond borders. It coordinates with the Sudan, militarily, to control the common border, to reduce armed opposition activity in the two countries. While committed to the war alongside Nigeria and Cameroon against Boko Haram, on the shores of Lake Chad, it - Following the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the "Five Coastal" group - Reaffirmed Mauritanias commitment to the policy of the military alliance, which together with the three countries, together with France, in the war against jihadist groups in the region, following the withdrawal of French forces from Mali and the end of Operation Brakhan, which, in the view of some observers, was considered the end of the alliance.
In a dramatic move, Chad and Russia agreed on Wednesday to work together by "intensifying joint measures to stabilize the region", according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The two countries agreed, according to the statement, "on military and technical cooperation" between them. The new responsibilities entailed by this rapprochement and Chadian cooperation with Moscow, together with Russias new and additional role in the region, largely mean the Central African Republic, although the Sudan is not excluded. N Djamena supports an armed opposition front, which controls two thirds of the country, led by former Central African President François Bozizé, to overthrow President Jean-François Touaderas Moscow-backed ruling protected by the Wagner Group. Chad had supported a similar front, which had ousted former President Ang-Felix Patassé and replaced him by Bozizé in 2003.
This sudden development in international relations is worrying France and its European and American allies. Frances exit from Chad may be precipitated by French forces. In its former colonies, the peoples anti-French sentiment: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, also has its presence in Chad. The visit of the President of the transition period in Chad, General Mohamed Kaka, to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Putin, where they agreed to upgrade their countrys relations, coincide with a deterioration in his countrys relations with the Sudan, on charges that it would pass United Arab Emirates military assistance through its airports to the Rapid Support Forces. N Djamena -- as well as Abu Dhabi -- denied what was stated in a recent United Nations report supporting those accusations made by Khartoum. Russia has relations with the Sudan, especially in the field of gold trade and investments. The theme of a coordinated Western campaign against Russia, on the eve of its war with Ukraine, was the alleged role of Sudanese gold in financing that war. The swift support of his leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, earlier visited Moscow in the context of those Sudanese-Russian relations, making Russian-Chadian rapprochement meaningful, for the Sudan, in the light of its persistent crisis and its complexities.
