UN General Assembly
1964

15. You must be wondering what attitude Chad, an African country and a member of the Organization of African Unity, will take concerning the tragedy in the Congo. The attitude of the people of Chad can only be that of a peace-loving people. In his speech to the nation, at the Independence Day celebrations on 11 January last, President François Tombalbaye declared: "What we must preserve at all costs is the dialogue. We must be able to show that, whatever the circumstances, no friction between States is so great that it justifies violent ruptures, fraught with danger for the future. "Chad has proved its attachment to these principles by its offer of mediation made last August. It remains prepared to bring a spirit of conciliation to those States — or men — who are divided by misunderstandings or by uncontrolled passions. In these early days of 1965, it hopes that peace will return to those unfortunate countries which are at present torn by war. Africans must be allowed to settle their own affairs. Whatever their origins, their ideals or their religion, two Africans will always reach an agreement for there is a strong tradition behind them."