Eufor Chad 7: Between government forces and rebels, the imperative of neutrality

(B2) Far from diminishing, or on the contrary worsening, the risk of military confrontation continues.

Political-military instability

The Chadian government is arming itself and supporting the Sudanese rebels on its territory, even exploiting them. The Sudanese government is doing the same with the Chadian rebels. And on both sides, we are arming ourselves. The Chadian national army is thus notably strengthening its fleet of attack helicopters. “Deby understood how useful these were commented a soldier on the spot. Already possessing several Mi35 and Mi171 helicopters, some of which are permanently based in Abéché, Chad is in the process of acquiring two others, in particular from Ukrainians (Mi24P nicknamed the "dragonfly of death", Mi27 helicopters improved with armaments). And the negotiation of two other French Gazelles or Fennec would be underway. For its part, Sudan is not left out. According to testimonies, with supporting photographs, collected by Amnesty International, Russia would have signed an agreement for the delivery of 15 Mi17 helicopters in 2005 and 2006 and provided 12 Mi24 attack helicopters.

The attacks punctuated by the rains

If the rainy season (between June and September) is, in fact, a period of truce, the rebel attacks generally concentrating in two phases - around November and April - the current period remains critical because it is of the last possibilities for the rebels to attack. Admittedly, after their three consecutive defeats - in November 2007 (in the Abéché region), in February (in N'Djamena) and in April 2008 in Adé (near the Sudanese border, right in the "Eufor" zone) - the risk appears to be lower. But "vigilance is still in order", it is said on the side of the French Epervier mission responsible for particularly monitoring the stability of the country and evacuating European civilian nationals in the event of a hard blow. Because " a localized helping hand cannot be ruled out ».

Forces fluctuating between "government" and "rebel"

The Chadian government has several security forces: the ANT, the regular Chadian national army, an elite unit – the presidential guard made up of loyal supporters of the president whose buildings are guarded by very young soldiers –, the National Gendarmerie and the National and Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT). This last force, made up of auxiliaries and former rallied rebels, is very changeable - some join it then desert and rally, again, sometimes against a bonus - and not very disciplined. The rebel forces are, today, more than ever very divided, often in a clannish way. Between Mahamat Nouri's Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), made up of Goranes (as well as Arabs and Tamas) and the Rally of Forces for Change (RFC) of Timane Erdimi, Deby's nephew - which mainly brings together Zaghawas, the ethnic group of President Deby - has thus created a dissent, the Union of Forces for Change and Democracy (UFCD), around Adouma Hassaballah, composed mainly of inhabitants of Ouaddaï (the Abéché region). Certain movements such as the UFDD, the Fundamental UFDD (UFDD-F) of Abdelwahid Abdoud Makaye, and the Front for the Salvation of the Republic (FSR) of Ahmat Soubiane are grouped together in a "National Alliance".

Daily neutrality

In all its daily actions, Eufor takes great care not to be found wanting in neutrality. Thus the entire eastern zone of Chad has come under Eufor command, the French of Operation Epervier no longer intervene there normally, on their own. Information campaigns - with leaflets in support - are carried out in the villages to explain the European presence, the meaning of the blue flag with 12 stars, as well as the presence of elements from several countries. In everyday life, the soldiers of Eufor take good care of certain attitudes. Thus the wearing of the chech was avoided – so as not to cause confusion – with the Chadian military troops, regular or rebels, who wear it regularly. While there are two routes to go to the military stopover in N'Djamena, the Eufor cars take great care not to take the one that passes through the Chadian camp, which is much faster (the control of the ANT soldiers being rather good child), and prefer to pass through the French camp. Finally, three chaplains — a Catholic, a Protestant (in Abéché) and a Muslim (in Farchana) — ensure a spiritual presence. " In a Muslim country, the presence of a Muslim cleric in our troops is an asset “said a soldier. 'It facilitates contacts'.

Evacuation of residents

The protection and evacuation of European and international nationals – mainly diplomats and NGO staff – are not normally among the responsibilities taken on by Eufor. This function is provided entirely by the French forces of Operation Sparrowhawk. A plan called "Chari Baguirmi" organizes the different stages: consignment of residents to their homes, gathering at assembly points, extraction and evacuation via Camp Kossei and N'Djamena airport. As the events of February 2008 showed, this possibility is not theoretical. A hundred men are mobilized to ensure the reception of nationals.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Published in Europolitics, April 2008

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