CHAD: Foreboding with first rebel attack since February

01 Apr 2008 20:11:31 GMT

Source: IRIN

NDJAMENA, 1 April 2008 (IRIN) - An attack on government troops early on 1 April at the town of Ade in eastern Chad on the border with Sudan is the first serious attempt by the rebels to challenge government forces since February when the rebels got as far as the capital N'djamena before withdrawing.

"The attack today [1 April] could just be a single event but we fear that it is the beginning of a much larger offensive," according to a diplomat in N'djamena who wished to remain anonymous.

Dozens of government troops and many civilians were injured in the fighting which ended around midday, according to a source in Ade. Information on the number of rebel causalities was unavailable, nor was it clear whether the rebels had retreated into Sudan or moved southeast in the direction of the Chadian village of Modoyna which is near the border.

Sources in Ade confirmed that the attackers were part of the rebel National Alliance (NA), which consists of at least three rebel groups headed by Mahamat Nouri a former Chadian general who led the attack on Ndjamena in February. "What the rebels do next is anyone's guess," said the diplomat. "Maybe they just wanted to rattle their sabers and that will be it or maybe this attack was a decoy for larger rebel attacks that could soon take place elsewhere along the border and we are about to witness something big."

"The important thing is that everyone is preparing for any eventuality," he added, referring to the evacuation from N'djamena of diplomats, international aid workers and tens of thousands of civilians during the February rebel offensive.

The Chadian ministry of defense issued a statement saying that Sudan is behind the latest attack and calling the rebels "mercenaries" of Sudan's government. It said that Sudan had violated various accords with Chad notably the one signed on 13 Match in Dakar, in front of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other world leaders. A Sudanese military spokesman told Reuters in Khartoum: "Sudan's armed forces had no hand in what is happening in Chad - this is an internal matter."

Adé sees heavy fighting

April 1, 2008 (AFP): Fighting erupted Tuesday morning in the far eastern part of Chad between rebels and the army, two months after the attack that nearly overthrew President Idriss Deby of Chad Itno in N'Djamena, according to a leader of the rebellion.

"There is fighting to Adé (a border town of Sudan), and they are still going," said Gadaye Ali, the spokesman of the National Alliance (AN), which includes most of the armed groups hostile to President Deby.

"Government forces arrived, they attacked us, we in turn attacked them and we are now occupying Adé," said another rebel official who requested anonymity, on joint satellite telephone from Libreville.

No Chadian army spokespersons were able to be reached at this time.

On February 2 and 3, after crossing the country from their rear bases in Sudan in less than a week, the Chadian rebels had attacked N'Djamena, causing Deby the president to hide out in his palace.

The latter later repulsed the rebels, with the assistance of military support from France.

Darfur: New Attacks in Chad Documented (Human Rights Watch)

Lots going on

March 16, 2008: Here are some of the latest prayer requests for Chad:
- 82 of the children staying at Bakan Assalam in Abeche, Chad, have been returned to their home village, to their parents. Please pray for their re-adjustment to the village, and that this experience would bring blessing to their future lives.
- The state of emergency over the whole country has been lifted, and a peace agreement has been signed by Omar Al Bechir, President of Sudan, and Idriss Deby, President of Chad. And yet, troubles still abound. The rebels threaten to attack the oil-rich south, and there are rumors of 200 rebel vehicles crossing the border into Chad last week. Pray for lasting peace, through the Prince of Peace, the only hope of Chad.
- Math teacher and political leader Ibni Omar Mahamat Saleh is still missing. Please pray for the truth to be known about his disappearance, and for his family who has been left behind.
- In N'Djaména, several thousand people have been made homeless as the government tears down hundreds of homes in the Goudji and Farcha neighborhoods. The people of these neighborhoods are majority Gorane, the ethnic group of the leaders of the rebellion forces. Please pray for these families in their suffering, for solutions to their current challenges.

Yorongar is free, Ibni Mahamet Saleh is not

March 9, 2008: After being released and received into exile in France, Ngarlejy Yorongar is interviewed about his experience in solitary confinement. However, he says that he personally witnessed the death of Ibni Mahamet Saleh, due to repeated beatings.
We thank God for his safe release, especially since many people believed that he was dead. Thank you for praying! Please pray for God to comfort the family of Ibni Mahamet Saleh as they absorb the sad news of their brave father, uncle and husband.

Here is the original interview with Yorongar

Not all sweetness and light

March 1, 2008: According to several tchadactuel.com reporters, the reality of the situation in N'Djaména and the country is the worst it has ever been in living memory. We hear that Sudanese mercenaries, unwelcome in their home country because of their stand against the Sudanese government, fought to assist the Chadian government to stay in power. Ever since they succeeded in pushing the rebels against the Chadian government away, they have been pillaging the homes of innocent civilians. They have also been raping women and girls in their homes with impunity.
The government has also expressed its intention to evict everyone from the Diguel and Gardolé quarters (neighborhoods) in N'Djaména, for their presumed support of the Sudanese government.
These post-battle disasters are leaving ordinary Chadians everywhere in an uproar. Please pray that the pillaging and raping of the innocent would stop, and that peace can be found between the people and their government once again.

For more information:
N'Djaména, ville prison ou ville ou pillulent des prédateurs?
Peuple tchadien, ta lutte est juste