From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has said the ongoing fight, which erupted in the Sudanese capital between the military and powerful para-military, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is unwelcome.
This is as he has said whatever Nigeria has achieved today is due to the power of its democracy and the power of its institutions, which must continue to be strengthened.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, president who spoke while in an audience with the Transitional President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday, and described the fighting that claimed tens of lives as unfortunate.
The two leaders reviewed the unfortunate situation and called on all neighbouring countries and the international community to prevail on the warring sides to stop fighting and negotiate.
“The situation in Sudan is unfortunate,” Buhari said, adding that Sudan deserved peace after all that it had gone through in the past.
President Buhari commended the Chadian leader for his “efforts to see a calming down, and for them to live peacefully. But you have to keep trying.”
Deby-Itno told President Buhari that the situation in Sudan was worrisome.
“Unfortunately, if not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighbouring countries,” Deby-Itno said.
On the steps his country took in response to the crisis, President Deby-Itno said: “We have closed our borders to Sudan and reinforced our security.
“I have spoken to the leaders of both factions. If everyone tries, it will calm down the situation. African leaders, especially the elders (President Buhari), Macky Sall (Senegal) and AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani (Comoros) need to step in. For two days, they have been killing themselves.”
The Chadian leader wished President Buhari a successful Umrah and “all the best as you prepare to leave office.”
Meanwhile, Garba Shehu also quoted Buhari as saying whatever Nigeria has achieved today is due to the power of its democracy and the power of her institutions, which must continue to be strengthened.
Buhari spoke on the fifth day of the official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in an audience with some of the country’s governors and other officials, where he was updated on ongoing situations, including the conclusion of outstanding elections back in the country.
At the Makkah Guest Palace where he is accommodated by the government of the host country, President Buhari received Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Babagana Zulum of Borno and the incoming governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda.
The others were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and a former chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai.
Speaking individually after the meetings, governors of Borno and Yobe states said they remained appreciative of the efforts of the president in curbing the threats of Boko Haram terrorists in their states and were happy that peace had been restored.
They promised to continue to work for the betterment of their peoples and remain loyal to the president.
The EFCC chairman briefed the president on efforts to conclude ongoing court cases and the plan to prosecute more offenders. He also briefed on the arrests of several suspects in connection with election fraud and the plan to take them to court.