Chad’s co-operation depends on effectiveness
The only way collective bodies such as the EU, AU, and NATO work is if they deliver sustained benefit to members. This is true of any association that you join, whereby you make a small sacrifice as the price of entry, but with an expectation of return in the future. In the case of the Africa Union – or more correctly the Organization of African Unity – some of the members are beginning to doubt the benefit of being a member.
President Idriss Deby said on Saturday Chad lacks confidence in the African Union’s ability to resolve the crisis with Sudan, the first time an African leader is questioning the body’s authority in its six-year history.
Deby’s statement comes after the army fought with Chadian rebels in eastern Chad Thursday and Friday, battles during which the government says 225 rebels were killed and 22 soldiers. The government accuses Sudan of sponsoring rebels, a charge Sudan denies.
The president also said his government is going to reevaluate its relations with Sudan and began by ordering the closure of Sudanese cultural centers in Chad. He also said the government will take over schools run by Sudanese in Chad.
Chad and Sudan only resumed diplomatic ties in November following a six-month break after the neighbors traded accusations of supporting each other’s rebels. – Mobile News Network.
Chad cannot afford to standby and let the troubles in Sudan continue. They have a tendency to spill over the border and becomes a domestic problem for the Chad government. Chad is fighting hard for government continuity under sustained pressure from rebel forces, and it cannot allow Sudan to support any efforts against it.
The Chadian government said the army defeated a rebel column that was heading to the capital and was pursuing other fighters, but rebels denied this Friday.
Chadian rebels have been trying to overthrow President Idriss Deby for more than three years.
Communications Minister Mahamat Hissene said soldiers killed 125 rebels and captured 152, including top commander Mahamat Amoda Bechir during a battle Thursday in the eastern Chad town of Am Dam, 367 miles (590 kilometers) east of the capital, N’Djamena.
“The column which entered (Am Dam) was completely annihilated,” interim Defense Minister Adoum Younousmi told journalists late Thursday.
But the rebels said Friday on a Web site that they defeated government forces and will soon give more details.
Later, the communications minister said the army had on Friday destroyed 60 vehicles belonging to the rebels in Haouich, which is southwest of Am Dam. He did not give any more details.- Mobile News Network.
Chad faces a struggle for a secure civil society and will broker no interference from Sudan. Chad is sending the message that if the AU will not deal with the situation in Sudan, then it may well have to escalate the stakes in the engagement itself.
