Idriss Deby Meets Buhari Ahead Of Chad Election

President of Chad, Idriss Deby, on Saturday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Naija News reports that Deby’s visit to Buhari is coming just weeks before Chad’s presidential election on April 11.

In a statement on Saturday, the Nigerian Presidency did not state whether Deby’s visit was connected to his re-election in April.

Deby, a 68-year-old former army chief who has been in power for 30 years, is seeking to be re-elected in the poll. He has since banned protests by opposition parties who have criticized his re-election.

According to the statement, Deby and Buhari met to discuss bilateral issues ranging from security to the recharging of Lake Chad.

“It is imperative that there be water transfer to the Lake Chad from the Congo Basin, so that the people can resume their normal lives,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

Buhari said with inter-basin water transfer, farming, fishing, animal husbandry would resume, and curtail irregular migration of youths, who now dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to get into Europe, seeking greener pastures.

“I’ve been engaging with the relevant stakeholders in Africa and beyond, on why we need to recharge Lake Chad. Nigeria will benefit more, but it is also advantageous to everyone,” Buhari said.