In Ndjamena, the work of the inclusive and sovereign national dialogue is finding it difficult to get off the ground. This is because the presidium supposed to lead the meeting is not unanimously accepted. Following the announcement by its members on Sunday 28 August, several professional bodies decided to leave the meeting. An immediate commission will be set up to bring back rebels and absentees.
Indeed, the composition of the committee has been controversial. Of the 1,400 delegates present at the dialogue, more than 500 people applied to join the presidium, even though the committee is composed of only 21 members. For example, several professional associations and the leader of a political coalition decided to leave the forum, believing that all political sensibilities and corporations are not sufficiently represented.
“In our past practices, we have made mistakes that have humiliated some people and offended others. We have unwillingly created injustice that resulted in reactions of discontent and anger, which is quite legitimate. No one tolerates injustice,” said Gali Ngothé Gatta, president of the presidium, apologising to those who boycotted the meeting and reaching out to them.
Moreover, the work of the said dialogue which had resumed on Tuesday 30 August with the installation of the presidium chaired by the former opponent Gali Ngothé Gatta, was immediately suspended to resume on Friday 2 September. In the meantime, an immediate commission will be set up to bring back those who left and also those who were absent.
“This commission will join the committee of religious leaders and elders to discuss with Wakit Tamma, the Transformers and other components absent from the meetings. We will have to correct the mistakes of the past. No one should be excluded from the discussions. The inclusive and sovereign national dialogue is a historic moment for us Chadians. We must write this history together for a new Chad,” said the president of the presidium in his closing speech on Tuesday.
According to the presidium, the commission will have a two-day mission, before resuming its work next Friday at 9 am. But it can also intervene in debates to resolve misunderstandings.
Launched on August 20, by General Mahamat Idriss Déby, President of the transition, the work of the national dialogue should end on 20 September. The meetings should allow the organisation of free and democratic elections and the transfer of power to civilians, according to the Military Council of the Transition.
