Skip to main content
CooperationDiplomacy

Chad, Switzerland mark 50 years of partnership, pledge deeper cooperation as new envoy takes post in Bern

April 22, 2026

By Aisha DUWAI ALI

Chad entered a new phase in its relationship with Switzerland today. In Bern, H.E. Ambassador Ahmad Makaila presented his Letters of Credence to Swiss President Guy Parmelin at the Federal Palace.

The ceremony officially names him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Chad to Switzerland. This comes after his recent accreditation to the UN and WTO in Geneva.

Ambassador Makaila and President Parmelin discussed Chad’s development needs. Both sides committed to stronger cooperation on development and humanitarian aid.

“Chad appreciates Switzerland’s support for our development efforts,” the Chadian Embassy said. Both delegations praised 50+ years of Swiss cooperation with Chad, which focuses on the most vulnerable people.

The talks also covered Swiss-funded projects in Chad and plans for future cooperation. A key topic was the SDC’s 2026–2031 program. Ambassador Makaila asked that it reflect Chad’s priorities: rising humanitarian needs and climate change, which both strain the national budget.

Djinodji Solmengar

Djinodji Solmengar

Djinodji Solmengar Rodrigue is a journalist with MRTV English, Chad’s first English-language media outlet, where he led English-language news coverage at its launch. Based in N’Djamena, his reporting explores political, economic, and social developments, with particular attention to everyday realities, informal sectors, and cultural life. His work also extends to football and broader societal issues, approached through field reporting and in-depth storytelling. Beyond reporting, Djinodji regularly conducts interviews focused on education, including the teaching of English in Chad, as well as conversations (with AFROTRONIX, to name a few) on culture and music. He is also active as an English–French interpreter, working alongside international media professionals. In this capacity, he recently supported and interpreted for a delegation of foreign journalists, including BBC representatives, during the PND Chad Connexion 2030 mission. Alongside his professional practice, Djinodji is pursuing a PhD, with research centered on the presence of China and Russia in Africa as portrayed in selected Commonwealth online media. His academic interests lie at the intersection of media, geopolitics, and discourse analysis. Earlier in his career, he taught English and authored a Master’s thesis examining the contextualization of English language teaching in Chad, reflecting a sustained engagement with educational challenges and policy.

Share