Doha yet again added another feather in its cap yesterday in pursuit of its insatiable quest for bringing peace and reconciliation to countries struggling with conflict in different regions of the world. With signing of the Doha Peace Agreement and the Participation of Politico-Military Movements in the Chadian National, Inclusive, and Sovereign Dialogue in yesterday, Qatar proved itself as the diplomatic powerhouse of the region.
The signing of the agreement is the culmination of painstaking negotiations Qatar hosted for the past five months with regional and international participation. The pact, signed on behalf of the transitional government in Chad by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Chadians abroad H E Cherif Mahamat Zene and representatives of the Politico-Military Movements in Chad, will pave the way for the start of the national, inclusive and sovereign dialogue in Chad in N’Djamena with the aim of achieving a comprehensive national reconciliation.
During a speech at the signing ceremony, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: “History informs us of the ineffectiveness of resolving the Chadian crisis by military force and that the only way is the constructive dialogue through the negotiating table for achieving a comprehensive political settlement among all spectrum of the people of the Republic of Chad,” adding: “It is no secret that the negotiations faced many challenges which were addressed through your esteemed efforts and in implementation of the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the State of Qatar has spared no effort to overcome obstacles in cooperation with you.”
H E the Deputy Prime Minister said that when facing the moments of self-determination in their lives and the lives of their people, those who are characterised by wisdom and insight must bear the responsibility, make decisive actions commensurate with the challenges of the situation, rise above all forms of divisions, meet the aspirations of their people for unity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked Qatar for hosting the negotiations which led to the signing of the Doha Peace Agreement, terming it as historic one, which will lead to achieve lasting peace in Chad. The African Union Commission’s Chairperson and the Chadian parties also thanked Qatar for its efforts.
For Qatar, the negotiations involving over 50 groups from Chad, which started in March in Doha, was not a cakewalk, but involved arduous negotiations with some 300 people representing diverse factions and it faced several roadblocks on the course of five months. But with sheer determination, steadfastness, dedication and farsightedness of the host and the participating parties resulted in signing of the agreement yesterday, which is harbinger for launching the national Dialogue in Chad.
