South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday sent condolences to Chad following the passing of President Idriss Déby Itno during a battle against rebels in the north of the central African country.
Déby, aged 68, died on Tuesday following injuries sustained while leading military forces to repel a rebel attack from southern Libya which had entered Chad in efforts to oust him from power just days after winning a presidential poll.
The South African presidency said Ramaphosa had “received with sadness the disturbing news of the death of President of the Republic of Chad, Marshal Idriss Déby Itno.”
“President Ramaphosa, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, extends his deepest condolences to the fallen president’s family as well as the government and people of Chad,” the presidency said.
The South African leader also expressed his government’s concern at the violent developments in Chad involving the armed groups which are trying to overthrow the current government from power.
Ramaphosa called for the immediate cessation of violence to bring peace and stability to Chadians as part of an African Union policy to end conflicts in the continent.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the violence that has claimed so many lives — including that of President Déby. We call for calm and a cessation to the fighting,” Ramaphosa said.
NM/jn/APA