Farmer-herder violence in Chad has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, exacerbating the perceived divide between the north and south of the country. President Mahamat Déby should make resolution of such conflict a priority during his term.
Govt tightened its authoritarian grip as debate over constituencies and parliament continued; local elections called for December.
Authorities silenced dissent following adoption of several bills. Controversy continued over late July laws on electoral boundaries and composition of parliament – both promulgated 16 Aug – that critics claim gerrymander in favour of northern provinces loyal to current regime, highlighting divisions between regions. Security forces 5 Aug stormed Catholic church in capital N’Djamena and arrested Father Madou Simon-Pierre, southerner and critic of new law. Arrest sparked outrage, forcing authorities to release him next day. Govt 9 Aug banned conference of opposition coalition Federal Bloc – which advocates federalism – for disturbing public order. In further sign of regime’s authoritarian drift, armed men 7 Aug arrested Oumar Ali Badour, editor-in-chief of Tchadinfos news site. Authorities did not comment on arrest, sparking outrage among journalists; Badour released next day.
Intercommunal violence continued. Altercation between herder and farmer 10 Aug after cattle destroyed latter’s field left farmer injured in Bouna sub-prefecture, Mandoul region; clash between farmers and herders 27 Aug killed civilian and wounded others near Mao city, Kanem region.
Local elections called for Dec. Electoral body 21 Aug announced legislative, provincial and municipal elections will be held 29 Dec. Authorities said existing electoral register will be used due to lack of time, material and financial resources. Ruling-Patriotic Salvation Movement party said elections would allow return to constitutional order by year-end but opposition criticised timing as rushed without fully resolving long-standing issues including constituency boundaries.
In other important developments. Rights group Human Rights Watch 6 Aug released report accusing army of torture, inhumane treatment and forced labour at Koro-Toro prison, 600km north of N’Djamena in desert; govt next day rejected report, calling it diplomatic conspiracy and threatening legal action. Meanwhile, Mediapart newspaper 23 Aug reported French authorities had opened investigation into Déby’s property holdings in France, allegedly valued at €30mn, reportedly fuelling N’Djamena-Paris tensions. Aid trucks began crossing border into Sudan’s Darfur region after agreement by various Sudanese parties (see Sudan).
Chadians will soon elect a new president, concluding a three-year political transition that will almost certainly see the incumbent Mahamat Déby Itno retain power. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Enrica Picco and Charles Bouëssel examine the issues at stake and the possible threats to the country’s stability after the vote.
Dans cet épisode d’Afrique 360°, Enrica Picco et Rinaldo Depagne reçoivent Remadji Hoinathy, chercheur à l’ISS pour l’Afrique centrale et le bassin du lac Tchad, et Thierry Vircoulon, chercheur associé à l’IFRI, pour évoquer les prochaines élections présidentielles au Tchad et les menaces internes et externes qui pèsent sur ce pays.
This week on The Horn, Alan is joined by Crisis Group’s Central Africa Director Enrica Picco to discuss Mahamat Déby’s rule in Chad ahead of elections in May, the crackdowns on opposition, the fallout of the war in Sudan and the great power competition in the country.
War in Sudan’s Darfur region has triggered a refugee crisis in eastern Chad and raised concerns that turmoil could spread. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Enrica Picco draws upon research at the Chad-Sudan border to explain the challenges facing N’Djamena.
Chadians’ growing use of social media could prove a boon for the country’s political transition, but it could also fuel violence offline. With donor backing, authorities, civil society, online platforms and influencers should work to ensure social media remains a space for democratic debate rather than an accelerator of conflict.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood speaks with Enrica Picco, Crisis Group’s Central Africa director, about the security forces’ crackdown on protesters in Chad last week, prospects for a return to civilian rule and whether more violence is likely.
In this video, Crisis Group’s Central Africa Project Director takes a look at what's happening in Chad and what can be done to avert further violence.
Enrica Picco, d’International Crisis Group, appelle le président de transition à nommer une commission d’enquête indépendante pour faire la lumière sur la répression des manifestations du 20 octobre.
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