The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, concluded his visit to Chad today. This marks the end of his tour in the Central African region, during which he visited the Gabonese Republic and the Republic of the Congo, accompanied by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily. During his stay in N’Djamena, Mr. Feltman met with the Chadian authorities, including H.E Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, as well as with key leaders of the opposition and civil society representatives.
Mr. Feltman expressed appreciation for the support extended by the Republic of Chad to UNOCA and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and commended the Republic of Chad for its active role in promoting peace and security in Central Africa and the Sahel region. He thanked the Republic of Chad for its invaluable contribution to the fight against Boko Haram as well as for its contribution to peace efforts in the Central African Republic and in Mali.
Mr. Feltman also visited the Headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and was briefed on the progress achieved and existing challenges. He reiterated on this occasion the United Nations’ readiness to support the fight against Boko Haram and help mobilize international support for the MNJTF.
In all his meetings, Mr. Feltman urged his interlocutors to support an inclusive dialogue, particularly in the run-up to the legislative elections. In this regard, he stressed the need for all stakeholders to engage in peaceful electoral process and refrain from any acts of violence. He also encouraged continued progress on governance and human rights issues in the country.