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Sahel, Central African Republic: Chad as mediator in regional crises

Auteur: Seneweb-News

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Sahel, Centrafrique : Le Tchad en médiateur des crises régionales

As tensions escalate in the Sahel region and Central Africa, Chad is emerging as a key regional player in mediation and conflict resolution efforts. Once perceived as a theater of conflict or a staging area for foreign powers, the country is now steadily transforming into a major diplomatic platform for regional peace and the defense of African sovereignty.

Thanks to thoughtful approaches and a strategic vision based on political dialogue and independence from external interference, Chad is forging a new place for itself on the African geopolitical scene. N'Djamena's recent mediation in the crisis in the Central African Republic represents the apogee of this transformation and testifies to the political and diplomatic maturity achieved by the Chadian state.

Chad as an active and neutral mediator in the Central African crisis

In April 2025, the authorities of the Central African Republic announced a historic agreement concluded in N'Djamena between the central government and two of the country's main armed groups: 3R (Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation) and the UPC (Unity for Peace in the Central African Republic).

Sponsored by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, the agreement provides for a clear ceasefire, the disarmament and demobilization of combatants, and their reintegration through a DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration) program, overseen by a joint committee under the auspices of N'Djamena.

This success is not the result of chance, but the result of several months of discreet negotiations conducted in a safe and neutral climate, without direct external interference.

What marks a turning point is that Chad has not acted as a mere traditional mediator, but as an independent African guarantor, with a deep understanding of the socio-military nature of the Central African conflict. This has earned it the trust of stakeholders, neighboring countries, and regional organizations such as the African Union.

Chad's role is not limited to foreign affairs. Within its own borders, the country has demonstrated a high level of political maturity, particularly in its management of internal conflicts. In April 2025, a mission led by the Mediator of the Republic to Miski (Tibesti region) led to the resumption of dialogue with local self-defense committees. This reconciliation effort demonstrates the political will to resolve tensions through peaceful and inclusive means, rather than resorting solely to force.

N'Djamena is thus adopting a diplomacy rooted in understanding local dynamics and recognizing community issues. This approach, centered on listening and negotiation, contrasts sharply with past interventionist models.

On the security front, Chad continues to be a trusted partner for Sahel countries, particularly in the fight against transnational terrorist groups. Its participation in the "Tarha Nakal 2" military exercise, alongside three ESA countries—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—demonstrates an active commitment to autonomous regional military cooperation. It also demonstrates a shared desire to pool African capabilities to address common challenges, outside of traditional alliances dominated by external powers.

Through its military professionalism, relative institutional stability and proactive diplomacy, Chad strengthens its position as a reliable actor in regional security issues, but also in sustainable development, by emphasizing political stability as a prerequisite for growth.

N'Djamena is now seen as a regional diplomatic capital, capable of hosting sensitive negotiations, reconciliation forums and African peace summits.

This position is all the stronger because Chad is not seeking to impose ready-made solutions, but to encourage African processes, led by Africans themselves.

By facilitating the reintegration of Central African armed groups into the peace process, while negotiating with its own rebel groups, Chad is building an international image of a stabilizing state, respectful of the sovereignty of others, but firm in defending its strategic interests.

The year 2025 also marks a major strategic turning point in Chadian foreign policy. The final withdrawal of French forces in January, followed by the non-renewal of conventional military agreements, confirms a firm commitment to diplomatic independence. President Déby has made it clear that Chad will no longer be a playground for external geopolitical rivalries, particularly those of France or the United States.

This assertion of full sovereignty gives Chad greater room to engage in mediation without suspicion of instrumentalization. It also strengthens the confidence of regional actors in the honesty of its mediation.

Long considered a zone of French influence and a Western military base, Chad is now redefining its place in Africa. Thanks to successful mediation in the Central African Republic, national reconciliation in Miski, a balanced security partnership with the ESA countries, and asserted political independence, N'Djamena is offering a new model of regional leadership.

This model is based on political moderation, independent decision-making, and effective dialogue. It gives Chad the legitimacy to play a role as a peacemaker in a region long marked by proxy wars and external interventions.

In a changing world, N'Djamena's voice seems destined to gain influence—not as a military power, but as a balanced diplomatic force, anchored in Africa.

Auteur: Seneweb-News
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Commentaires (1)

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    Dr- Dan Jager il y a 18 heures

    «Le rôle du Tchad dans la médiation des crises africaines est très louable et témoigne de la maturité politique et diplomatique de ce pays. Son indépendance diplomatique et son focus sur des solutions africaines peuvent servir de modèle précieux pour les autres pays de la région. Espérons que ce processus contribuera à la stabilité et au développement durable en Afrique.»

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