Chad Rebels To Resume Fighting, President Deby's Promises Unmet
Chadian rebels said on Thursday they would take up arms again against President Idriss Deby after he failed to negotiate with them since the...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2013/03/chad-rebels-to-resume-fighting.html
Chadian rebels said on Thursday they would take up arms again against President Idriss Deby after he failed to negotiate with them since they agreed to stop fighting more than two years ago.
The Union of Forces of Resistance (UFR), a rebel coalition, put down their weapons after Chad and Sudan agreed to end their proxy wars in 2010 by ceasing their support for insurgents in each other's country.
The two nations agreed to work together to rebuild their border areas, a move seen aimed at bolstering security and credibility before impending elections in both nations.
However, speaking by telephone from the Qatari capital Doha, Chadian rebel leader Timane Erdimi told Reuters that after two years of waiting for talks they had no other options left.
"We're tired of waiting. Our supporters on the ground are tired and are pushing us to fight given Deby's obstinate refusal. We must resume fighting."
The former French colony, one of the poorest nations in the world, has been rocked by humanitarian crises over the last decade including conflicts in the east and south, drought in the arid Sahel region, and flooding.
Deby seized power in a 1990 military coup and has since won a series of elections whose fairness has been questioned by international observers. He has dismissed those allegations and defended his record.
Erdimi was the leader of one of several rebel groups in a 2008 rebel coalition which attacked the Chadian capital N'Djamena in February that year, besieging Deby in his palace.
The rebels eventually withdrew, accusing former colonial power France, which has troops and planes based in Chad, of backing Deby. Paris said its forces gave intelligence, medical and logistics support to the Chadian army, but did not participate directly in combat.
Deby's foes say three polls since the coup were unfair and call him corrupt and dictatorial.
"The problems cannot be resolved unless there are negotiations between the two sides," Erdimi, who has been exiled in Doha since Sudan normalized ties with Chad, said.
The two nations agreed to work together to rebuild their border areas, a move seen aimed at bolstering security and credibility before impending elections in both nations.
However, speaking by telephone from the Qatari capital Doha, Chadian rebel leader Timane Erdimi told Reuters that after two years of waiting for talks they had no other options left.
"We're tired of waiting. Our supporters on the ground are tired and are pushing us to fight given Deby's obstinate refusal. We must resume fighting."
The former French colony, one of the poorest nations in the world, has been rocked by humanitarian crises over the last decade including conflicts in the east and south, drought in the arid Sahel region, and flooding.
Deby seized power in a 1990 military coup and has since won a series of elections whose fairness has been questioned by international observers. He has dismissed those allegations and defended his record.
Erdimi was the leader of one of several rebel groups in a 2008 rebel coalition which attacked the Chadian capital N'Djamena in February that year, besieging Deby in his palace.
The rebels eventually withdrew, accusing former colonial power France, which has troops and planes based in Chad, of backing Deby. Paris said its forces gave intelligence, medical and logistics support to the Chadian army, but did not participate directly in combat.
Deby's foes say three polls since the coup were unfair and call him corrupt and dictatorial.
"The problems cannot be resolved unless there are negotiations between the two sides," Erdimi, who has been exiled in Doha since Sudan normalized ties with Chad, said.
