Qatar’s Amir Awarded Highest Chad Honor for Success in Peace Negotiations

Qatar’s Amir Awarded Highest Chad Honor for Success in Peace Negotiations

On Saturday, Qatar's Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was given the Chadian National Order of Merit for his country's contribution in enabling successful peace talks.

According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, President of Chad's Transitional Military Council (TMC), was also honored by the Amir for signing the Doha Peace Agreement last week.

Abdul Sattar Saleh Al-Ansari, Charge d'Affaires at Qatar's mission in Chad, received the honor from Deby.

Following five months of preliminary discussions in the Gulf state, the Doha Peace Agreement was signed last week in Qatar between the government and rebel organizations.

Following agreement among the participants to the discussions, Qatar was appointed as the mediator.

Qatar's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, presided over the signing, while his Chadian colleague, Mahamat Zene Cherif, represented the African nation.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “History has taught us that the solution to the Chadian crisis by military force is ineffective, and that the only way is through constructive dialogue through the negotiating table and achieving a comprehensive political settlement among all segments of the people of the Republic of Chad.”

Qatar was praised globally for enabling the signature, notably by rights organizations and nations.

The agreement was critical in laying the groundwork for elections and was required prior to the national conversation. Following several delays as the parties in Doha failed to achieve an agreement, the national conversation is planned to take place in Chad on August 20.

In a news conference following the agreement, Chad's foreign minister stated that "Qatar utilized all of its capabilities to push the peace track forward" through diplomacy. He also stated that "more than 1,000 people" will attend the Chadian national forum.

The Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebel faction refused to sign the peace treaty. Former Chadian President Idriss Deby was killed last year after combat between the government and FACT rebels.
For years, the organization had planned to depose Deby.

Foreign Minister Zene told the press in Doha that “those who rejected signing the agreement just missed a very big and important historical opportunity to be part of this process.”

Qatar-Chad ties
Qatar and Chad reestablished diplomatic relations in early 2021, after the latter severed ties with the Gulf state during a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) conflict in 2017.

Chad had accused Qatar of attempting to destabilize the country through neighboring neighbor Libya. Doha, on its part, said N'Djamena was engaging in "political blackmail against the State of Qatar."

The United States applauds Qatar for effectively mediating the Chad peace accord.

Qatar's position as a mediator in Chad dates back to 2009, when it sponsored the signing of the "Doha Accord," also known as the "Darfur accord," between Khartoum and N'Djamena.

The deal, co-sponsored by Libya, was signed in 2008, during tensions between Sudan and Chad, with both accusing the other of aiding insurgent organizations and rebel assaults within their borders.

Chad has long accused Sudan of backing rebels seeking to depose late President Deby, while Sudan has accused Chad of backing insurgents in the western area of Darfur.

In 2020, the Gulf state held a number of negotiations between opposing groups, including the US and the Taliban.