Today, by proxy of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, the Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Giorgio Silli took part in the investiture ceremony of the new President of the Republic of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
“The Italian government supports Chad against a regional backdrop compounded by the deterioration of the political and security situation, the stabilisation of which is strongly supported by Italy,” commented Silli, pointing out that Italy’s strategic interests in the region, especially in the fight against terrorism and irregular migration, require constant dialogue with Chad in the common interest of further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The ceremony was held in N’Djamena in the presence of invited government representatives and marked an important step in the process of transition and restoration of constitutional order in Chad. A border country between Central Sahel and East Africa, Chad is located in an area subject to ongoing instability, as linked to the threat of terrorism, the conflict in Sudan, and criminal trafficking, including that of human beings. According to UNHCR data, Chad hosts more than one million forcibly displaced persons, including 580,000 refugees from neighbouring Sudan, Central African Republic and Cameroon.