Chad : Pre-Dialogue Talks Suspended

Peace talks between the Chadian Government and opposition groups has been suspended after a delegation of Front for Change and Concord (FACT), left the conference room in protest against certain pending issues with regards to the format of the talks. The talks that opened on Sunday morning in Doha (Qatar) are aimed at laying down the ground works ahead of the National Dialogue slated for May in the Chadian capital N’Djamena.
AFP reports that hours after the opening, some difficulties sprouted when the leading opposition Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) and several of its allies refused to start official talks after the opening speeches. FACT spokesperson Issa Ahmat told AFP the opposition did not want direct contact with government representatives and was demanding Qatar act as a mediator. Other opposition officials said Qatar had proposed setting up a committee for the talks, with each side nominating 10 representatives. The talks were suspended to see if the committee could be formed, they said.
Prior to the suspension, the AU Chairperson Moussa Faki, urged both parties to reach an agreement aimed at bringing peace, “The Chadian history, which has been punctuated by conferences, attempts at reconciliation, and unfulfilled agreements, is well known to you all. Right now, the situation is very serious, we have to deliver this,&rdq...