Chad: Blood for Oil

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November24, 2006: The rebellion in neighboring CAR is remarkably like the one in Chad. In both countries, tribes that believe they are not getting enough goodies from the government, are fighting for a larger cut. Like most of Africa, the guy in power takes care of his own tribe, and the other tribes get jealous and, in this case, get their guns and get going to rectify the situation. Also like in Chad, there's the oil problem. An oil exploration team from Canada is checking out likely deposits in CAR. If the oil field is confirmed and put into production, the tribes will end up fighting over who gets control of the checkbook. Sudanese involvement is largely the result of government supported Sudanese tribes having branches across the borders in Chad and CAR. When the borders of these countries were created, the tribes were not consulted. As a result, most borders go right through tribal territory.

November 23, 2006: The government extended the state-of-emergency for another six months. The Sudan border area is still a battle zone, with tribal gunmen from Chad and Sudan roaming the area.

November 22, 2006: Another 150 Chadian troops have arrived in CAR, to help the army deal with rebels.

November 21, 2006: Chad leaders met with those of Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Eritrea and CAR in Libya. Everyone said nice things about each other and insisted that problems were solved. But Sudan denied it was interfering in Chad and CAR, despite the evidence that Sudanese citizens (troops or pro-government tribesmen) have been found in both countries.

November 20, 2006: A relief worker was killed in southeast Chad, during a raid on a village by tribal gunmen.

November 18, 2006: The violence in eastern Chad has created some 5,000 refugees, and caused the disappearance of 37 relief workers.

 

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