October 20, 2007: In the north, the Movement for
Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) rebels have kidnapped a Christian
missionary and are negotiating a ransom. The MDJT has been skirmishing with the
government since 1998, in the far north, along the Libyan border. Led by Mahmat
Choua Dazi, MDJT earned some gratitude from the United States by chasing down
Islamic terrorists who tried to cross through MDJT controlled territory.
Neither the hundred or so MDJT members, nor several other tiny rebel groups, are
strong enough to bring down the government, especially as long as France
maintains several thousand troops in the country. But the government has never
been strong enough to take down the rebels either. The MDJT, and most
other self-declared rebels, survive on banditry, shaking down relief groups and
getting subsidies from foreign countries (Sudan, Libya, or anyone who wants to
mess with Chad.)
October 19, 2007: So far this month, about
300 have died in fighting in eastern Chad.
October 18, 2007: There has been some fighting in
the east, involving rebels who disagreed with the terms under which they would
disarm.
October 16, 2007: The government declared a state
of emergency in the east, where fighting has broken out between the Tama and
Zaghawa tribes. President Deby belongs to the Zaghawa.
October 15, 2007: As a result of the earlier
desertion of Chadian troops, tribal violence between members of the Tama and
Zaghawa, broke out in one of the towns the troops had abandoned. This has led
to about twenty people killed so far. Meanwhile, the European Union says that
the first of 3,000 European peacekeepers will arrive in November.
October 12, 2007: Over 500 soldiers, former members
of the FUC rebel group, deserted their positions and moved towards the Sudan
border. Their former boss, now the Defense Minister, said it was all a
misunderstanding.
October 6, 2007: Some rebel groups declared that
they were not satisfied with some of the details of the peace deal.
