If I Knew Where Shekau's Hiding, I Won't Tell Nigeria -- Chadian President

President Idris Deby of Chad, who earlier this year was quoted as
saying his country's military was closing in on elusive Boko Haram
leader, Abubakar Shekau and urged him to surrender, has retracted the
statement while also insisting he won't divulge the location of the
wanted terrorist even if he knew his location.

"I cannot tell you today that I know where Shekau is hiding and even
if I knew I won't tell you", Mr. Deby told journalists on Monday at
the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Chadian leader made this known while speaking with State House
correspondents after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Deby, the war against Boko Haram had not yet been totally
won because Chad and Nigeria were not working together on the field.

He said it was regrettable that the "two armies that is the Nigerian
army and the Chadian Army are working separately in the field".

"They are not undertaking joint operation", he said. "If they were
operating joint operation probably they would have achieved more
results".

Speaking further on the purpose of his visit to Nigeria, the Chadian
President said it was important for him to come to discuss with his
Nigerian President counterpart as he leaves office to review "what we
did together, what we achieved together in the fight against Boko
Haram".

He further stated that it is true that Boko Haram has not been
completely eradicated.

"But they have been tremendously weakened", he said. "I did not want
to wait and come during the inauguration of the new government. I
thought I should come to consult with Mr. President, to congratulate
him and to have this exchange and have overview of what we have been
able to achieve in the fight against Boko Haram".

Chad, one of Nigeria's closest neighbours has been involved in the
fight against Boko Haram as it is also being affected by the
activities of the insurgents.

Responding to questions on the multinational joint task force fighting
in Lake Chad, he explained, "In the Lake Chad Basin, there are four
countries Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger that are currently
securing the area. The four countries have managed to form a
multinational mixed force that will metamorphose to what is probably
known as a Rapid Response Force that the African Union is trying to
form for Africa".

On the 2015 general elections, Mr. Deby congratulated Mr. Jonathan for
the show of statesmanship demonstrated during the elections when he
conceded defeat.

"We all know that elections in Africa is always contested but Mr.
President demonstrated a lot of statesmanship, that he is a real
democrat by conceding and congratulating the President-elect", he
said.

"You all know that when Nigeria sneezes, the neighbouring countries
catch cold. If Mr. President had not taken that laudable initiative
you all know what would have happened now. Nigeria is still living in
peace, you all are living in peace and that would not have happened
but for that laudable initiative he took.

"So I came to congratulate him for leaving a legacy not only for
Nigeria but for Africa as a whole".