Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Government of Chad in response to the death of the former President of Chad, Idriss Déby.

I am concerned by the situation in Chad. My thoughts are with those mourning the death of President Déby and others who have died in fighting. The Foreign Secretary and I have publicly called for an end to violence in Chad. It is vital that stability is restored in order to allow for a peaceful, inclusive transition to civilian and constitutional rule.

We continue to engage closely with our international partners on developments in Chad. Through our Ambassador (designate) to Chad and our Sahel Envoy, we are holding regular discussions with the US, France and Germany. I have discussed the situation with regional leaders, including on my visit to Nigeria and with the AU's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye. Ministers have not held discussions with Chad's transitional authorities following the death of President Déby.