World

Conflict Resumes in Chad

by Caoimhin1 | June 16, 2008 at 12:33 pm | 467 views | 12 comments | 25 recommendations

A Chadian rebel force has made it's way west out of the deserts of Sudan and has "taken" three towns in the last three days. Rebel leaders are quick to point out that they are not attacking the towns but only clearing the way as they head for the capital of Ndjamena to overthrow Idriss Deby and the government of Chad.

At the town of Goz Beida a small force briefly encountered EUFOR troops on patrol where shots were exchanged but fled northeast to Am Dam. From there they progressed to Biltine which is 470 miles east of the capital and 60 miles north of Abeche. Some of the rebel force is reported to be within striking distance of Mongo.

The EUFOR forces are on a UN mission to protect Humanitarian Aid workers and refugee settlements and have no mandate to interfere in Chad's domestic situation. Unless the UN forces, aid workers, or refugees are attacked EUFOR is not supposed to engage the rebels.

The French government is heavily invested in Chad and it's present government. They have two different armies on the ground in Chad with two different objectives. The first, and longest running mission, is to protect the status quo, while the second group is part of the EUFOR/ UN humanitarian mission. The French have warned the rebels, which is going to cause confusion as Deby has been pleading for French assistance and the rebels are suspicious of French involvement This is soon going to get very sticky.

Chad's Army moves to protect the town of Abeche.

US Embassy evacuates non-essential staff.

Analysis and video from France24 News.

Irish Minister of Defence Willie O'Dea visits Chad today.

Chadian Minister accuses Sudan of aiding revolt.

June 18th: Firefight in Am Zoer between rebels and Chad forces results in 160 rebel deaths. Government says uprising is finished.

June 20th: Ali Gueddei, of the rebel faction National Alliance, counters government claims of rebel deaths and vows renewed assaults within "a few days".

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Barry Artiste

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:51 on June 16th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Caoimhin1

at 23:37 on June 16th, 2008

Thanks for the GS flag Barry, this story is still unfolding...

Maireid Sullivan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:31 on June 17th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Thanks for posting this informative report, Cao.

Caoimhin1

at 08:30 on June 17th, 2008

Thanks Maireid! This could become a serious incident, Irish and EUFOR forces could get entangled in this conflict, if the French decide to assist Deby again like they did in February!

Maireid Sullivan

at 01:48 on June 17th, 2008

And a very good morning to you, Cao.

Thanks you very much for your due diligence on this serious subject, especially when EU "troops" include Irish citizens.

This is, I think, the first time I have heard of "EU troops" - it's always been French troops or English...

This is exactly what is taking form, and TG the Irish came through with the demand for "integrity" in EU governance. We all want unity, but it must be completely 'above board'.

Caoimhin1

at 01:51 on June 17th, 2008

How very true Maireid, the NO vote in Ireland will do more to expose the true nature of the European Union than a YES vote ever would have! Thanks for your stories and links! :)

jordan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:30 on June 18th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Caoimhin1

at 05:06 on June 18th, 2008

Thanks Jordan! Despite the Chadian governments announcement this may still play out further...

Johnny Summerton

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:10 on June 18th, 2008

Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Good piece Caoimhin. "World" needs a few more of these international stories - just a shame that the ones coming out of Africa (on NP and elsewhere) nearly always focus on war, famine and dictatorship.

Just for the record EUFOR is still mainly French - there are 3,130 of them, 500 Irish and 70 Dutch - "peacekeepers" of course but basically at the behest of France/Déby and the old colonial ties and investment that has been made in a less than pleasant and certainly far from democratic regime (to put it mildly) over the decades.

Won't go into the "No" vote and the EU as that would - as the French say - simply create an "amalgam" and detract from what is a good story.

Caoimhin1

at 15:42 on June 18th, 2008

Thanks Johnny! :)

beninmw

at 07:14 on June 20th, 2008

Cao, I think that this is just the beginning. We are witnessing something, which to me is alarming-but perhaps not new in the context of how conflicts arise in Africa.

Thanks for the story.

Caoimhin1

at 07:31 on June 20th, 2008

Thanks Beninmw, this is a volatile area of the world, the combination of dictators, oil, poverty, and religious differences could turn Chad/Sudan into another Middle East. The rebels are adamently against the regimes in both Chad and Sudan, it is far from over.