President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) described the clash between rival military factions in Sudan as “unfortunate” and said the war‑torn country deserves a period of relative peace after decades of infighting. He made these remarks while receiving Chad’s Transitional President, Gen. Mahamat Itno, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement signed by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the two leaders reviewed the situation and called on neighboring countries and the international community to pressure the warring sides to negotiate. On Saturday, Sudan’s military and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces engaged in fierce fighting in Khartoum and other parts of the country, dashing hopes for an expected transition to democracy. As the fighting entered its second day, local media reported at least 56 civilian deaths and about 600 injuries, mostly in the capital.
In the statement titled “President Buhari, Chadian leader agonize over ongoing crisis in Sudan,” Buhari called the ongoing conflict unwelcome and reiterated that Sudan deserved peace after its troubled past. He commended the Chadian leader for his efforts to calm the situation and urged continued attempts at reconciliation.
Chad’s President Itno warned that the Sudanese crisis could spill over into neighboring states, saying, “If not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighbouring countries.” He noted that Chad had closed its borders with Sudan and reinforced its security. Itno added that he had spoken to the leaders of both factions and emphasized that African leaders—particularly elders such as President Buhari, Senegal’s Macky Sall, and AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani—need to intervene to stop the bloodshed.
Finally, Itno wished Buhari a successful Umrah and all the best as he prepares to leave office.
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