On 22 August, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service welcomed the opening, on 20 August, of the national dialogue in Chad as a “key phase in the country’s political transition process”.
The aim of this dialogue is to turn the page on the transition and to allow the organisation of free and democratic elections.
“The EU invites all actors, including the transitional authorities, the opposition and Chadian civil society, to seize this opportunity. It is important that the dialogue is as inclusive as possible (...) to ensure its legitimacy in the eyes of the people and to gain the support of the international community”, the spokesperson stressed. According to the spokesperson, the return to the country of leaders of various political and military groups following the Doha agreement of 8 August between the junta and some 40 rebel groups “is a positive step”.
The spokesperson also called for respect for freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, “which are equally important for an inclusive and peaceful transition”.
In addition, the spokesperson said that the EU was ready to support a peaceful transition process based on national consensus, “with a view to establishing the conditions for a new social contract for peace and prosperity (...), to laying the foundations for a rapid return to constitutional order and for free, transparent and credible elections”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)