Arabic Media

November 5, 2022

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Sarkozy Leaves N’djamena Accompanied by Some of “Darfur Orphans’” Kidnappers

• Darfur conducted a short visit to Chad to intercede on behalf of the French journalists and Spanish flight attends who were among 16 Europeans arrested in association with “Darfur orphans” failed operation
• Sarkozy said that “this regrettable adventure has no connection at all with Euroforce deployment in Chadian region near border with Sudan” and expressed his desire to see the French suspects tried in France 
• Sarkozy also praised Chadian President Idriss Deby and Chad’s cooperation with the Euroforce deployment

Source: Al Akhbar (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: How Chadian President Succeeded in Getting Sarkozy to Visit N’djamena

• In a surprise visit that represented a major turn in “Darfur Orphans” crisis, French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in N’djamena where he was met with President Idriss Deby
• Upon his arrival Chadian authorities released 7 of the 21 European accused of attempting to transport 103 children to France illegally
• Experts argued the Chadian government used strong rhetoric as the story broke out to improve its image domestically as it was opening its doors to Euroforce, which is a sensitive topic in many African countries
• Experts believe Deby succeeded in securing a high-level visit – the French president – despite his upcoming state visit to Washington because of the sensitivity of the failed operation and French military “assistance” to L’Arche de Zoe members
• To reduce the impact of French military involvement in transporting members of L’Arche de Zoe to Abeche, the French government formed an investigating committee headed by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense to look into the matter
• Some French sources indicated that the government was aware of L’Arche de Zoe’s activities in Chad and warned it on numerous occasions to stop its questionable activities
• The more than 13,000 humanitarian aid workers deployed in Chad and Sudan are said to be worried about the impact of L’Arche de Zoe scandal on their work in the two countries

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Sarkozy Leaves N’djamena Accompanied by 7 of the 16 Europeans Accused of Kidnapping Children

• Sarkozy Left N’djamena accompanied by 7 Europeans accused of attempting to kidnap 103 Darfur children
• Sarkozy said that “this regrettable adventure has no relation at all with Euroforce deployment in Chadian region near border with Sudan” and expressed his desire to see the French suspects tried in France 
• Meanwhile, Chadian judges expressed frustration with political pressure that forced them to release the 7 Europeans.  They said high-level political pressure from Chad forced them shorten the process followed by Chadian legal system in investigating similar incidents

Read the above in Arabic.