Pages

Monday 18 March 2013

Chad’s exiled opposition leader, Abba Sayed, returns home after 32 years asylum in Nigeria


Seventy year-old Mohamat Abba Sayed, and ex-leader of Chadian defunct opposition rebel party, FROLINAT, was today at about 6:20pm flown back to Ndjamena from Maiduguri, Borno state capital, where he had been living in secret asylum for over three decades.
Mr. Sayed later reconciled with the central government of the Republic of Chad after severally turning down entreaties of his country’s leadership to return home.
He had been living with former civil war hero, Late General Mamman Shuwa, since he escaped from his country amidst turbulent political conflict in 1980 during the regime of ex-president Husseine Habre.
A delegation sent by the government of Chad, led by Ambassador Abdaraman Mousa, who is the national mediator of Chad, arrived Maiduguri International Airport today to take him back home where his kinsmen await him with an elaborate welcome party.

The delegation of about 15 men paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Borno state who stood in for the governor, Kashim Shettima.
The delegation said they were in Maiduguri at the instance of the president of Chad with the objective of taking home “the reconciled Chadian opposition leader, Mahamat Abba who is based in Gwange Area at the late General Mamman Shuwa’s residence”.
Borno state Deputy governor appreciated the visit to his office even as he told the delegation that Borno state and some neighbouring parts of of Chad share cultural and religious similarities which has always strengthen their ties of relationship.
The ex-rebel opposition leader had been a political mentor to his host, Late General Shuwa, who was one of the leaders and board of trustee member of the ruling ANPP in Borno state.
The gruesome assassination of Mr. Shuwa was said to have dampen his aged spirit, hence he made up his mind to return home by accepting the olive branch extended to him by President of Chad, Derby.
He told journalists at the airport on his way back to his country’s capital, Ndjamena, that he would not go back to active politics, but would sit as an advisory council for the younger politicians in Chad.

No comments:

Post a Comment