Former Chadian official strongly criticizes his country’s regime’s bias toward Morocco

The Chadian regime’s decision to open a “fake” consulate in the occupied Sahrawi city of Dakhla has led to positions rejecting this ill-considered decision in this poor country located in the heart of the Sahel and Sahara region. Among those angered by this decision is the former Secretary-General of the Presidency in this country, Mr. Othman Abdel Rahman Jogoro.
In an article on the website of the Chad One newspaper, the Chadian politician wrote angrily: “Chad has opened a consulate in the city of Dakhla in the Sahrawi Republic, a region witnessing a thorny diplomatic conflict between Algeria and Morocco. This means that from now on, our country recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over this country, and thus abandons the position of strict neutrality, which has continued for 50 years, in order to preserve our relations with Morocco and Algeria.”
The former Secretary General of the Presidency of Chad criticized his country’s position, which could worsen relations with Algeria: “There are concerns that this recognition could undermine our relations with Algeria, and constitute a violation of the decision of the African Union, which referred this matter to the United Nations for resolution.”
Mr. Osmane Abderrahmane Jouguro was not convinced of the seriousness and justification of his country’s authorities’ decision: “The opening of a consulate must meet certain strategic interests of the country. Under the Vienna Convention of 1963, consulates are responsible for ensuring the protection of their nationals, issuing visas to foreigners wishing to travel to the country, issuing birth certificates to children born in the city in question, and serving as an economic intermediary. However, it is questionable whether the city of Dakhla (occupied Sahara) meets these criteria,” before addressing his country’s citizens: “Chadians should be concerned about the opening of a consulate in a city that hosts almost no Chadian families, which could serve the interests of unscrupulous groups.”
Although there are few Moroccan companies in Chad, says the Chadian politician, “trade between the two countries is almost non-existent. For example, CIMAF, which produces cement in Chad, is a disguised export of Moroccan raw materials, since clinker, the main component of cement, is imported from Morocco. This clearly creates unfair competition for our compatriots who import cement. In addition, MOOV AFRICA and Attijariwafa Bank are investments that are likely to change rapidly.”
Regarding the advantages associated with cooperation with Algeria, which he described as the second military power in Africa and one of the best African diplomats, they will be significant in the short and long term, says Mr. Jouguro, there are several giant and promising projects that could strengthen Chad’s geostrategic interests.
First of all, Algeria has a major port on the Mediterranean, allowing Mali, Niger and landlocked Chad, members of the Trans-Saharan Roads Liaison Committee (CLRT), to secure their trade with Europe once the Trans-Saharan Road, which links Algeria, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Tunisia, is completed. The sections of the Massakory-Ngouri, Ngouri-Bole, Bol-Lewa and Régue roads, which are located in Chad, have been financed.