Coup Attempt Fails In Chad

At Least 4 Dead In Chad Coup Attempt: Security Sources -- Reuters

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - At least four people were killed in a gunfight in the Chadian capital in what authorities said was a plot against President Idriss Deby's government, security sources said on Thursday.

Chad has a long history of political instability and Deby himself led rebel troops into the capital N'Djamena in 1990 to seize power. But the landlocked nation started producing oil a decade ago and Deby, who has won four elections, has become an ally of the West against Islamist militants in the region.

"Between four and eight people were killed in fighting at a military barracks in the east of N'Djamena," said a police source, asking not to be identified. The clash took place late on Wednesday.

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More News On Yesterday's Failed Coup Attempt In Chad

Chad: N'Djamena deaths as 'coup' foiled -- BBC
Chadian government thwarts attempted coup -- France24/AFP
Chad 'foils coup' against government -- Al Jazeera
Several killed in apparent Chad coup plot -- The Australian
Chad says it thwarted coup -- UPI
Chad arrests group for 'destabilisation plot' -- Global Post/AFP
Chadian Opposition Lawmaker Is Arrested After Coup Attempt -- Bloomberg
Chad Arrests Follow 'Failed Coup' -- allAfrica.com

Coup Attempt Foiled In Chad

Chad Government Foils Coup Attempt: Minister -- Reuters

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Security forces in Chad foiled a coup against the government of President Idriss Deby that had been in preparation for several months, the West African desert nation's communications minister announced late on Wednesday.

"Today, May 1, a group of individuals with bad intentions sought to carry out an action to destabilize the institutions of the republic," Hassan Sylla Bakary read in a statement broadcast on state-owned television.

"They did not count on the valiant security forces who have tracked them since December 2012 and who, this morning, neutralized them," he said.

The impoverished former French colony has a long history of coups and rebellions, and Deby himself led rebel troops into the capital N'Djamena in 1990 to seize power.

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WNU Editor: This is a breaking news story. We will have more updates tomorrow.

Heavy Fighting Reported On Chad - Darfur Border

'Hundred Killed' In Chad Clashes -- BBC

Chad's government says the army has killed 105 insurgents and beaten back a new attack near the Sudan border, but the rebels have denied the claims.

FPRN leader Adoum Yacoub said both sides had lost lives but did not give any details.

This is the first battle since Chad and Sudan agreed to stop supporting rebels in each other's country in February.

Chad's President Idriss Deby this week sent a message congratulating Sudan's Omar al-Bashir on his re-election.

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More News On Chad

Chad Says Forces Kill More Than 100 Rebels -- Voice of America
106 killed in Chad clashes: government spokesman -- AFP
Chadian army clashes with rebels -- Washington Post/Reuters
Over 100 dead as Chad rebels clash with government -- RFI English
War And Peace On The Eastern Front -- Strategy Page

Military Ambitions Of E.U. Bolstered By Chad Success

Sudanese refugee children running in the Djabal refugee camp near Gozbeida, Chad, on Sunday. (Philippe Huguen/AFP)

From International Herald Tribune:

Mahmat Ismail Ali, 18, fled Darfur five years ago with what remained of his family, after Sudanese rebels attacked his village and killed his father and uncle and raped the women. The entire village set off on foot for relative safety across the border here in barren eastern Chad. It took them a month.

It is a familiar story by now, with more than 2.5 million refugees from Darfur, and while Darfur continues to suffer, the world has responded with aid to refugees in the usual fashion — a bit late, a bit haphazard, a bit misdirected.

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My Comment: It is a start, but the idea of E.U. soldiers handling bigger issues and problems is just a fantasy. A few thousand soldiers may make a difference in smaller roles, but Africa is one hell of a big continent.

UN Peacekeepers To Replace EU Force In Chad

From APT Ministries

From Washington Post/AP:

UNITED NATIONS -- The Security Council on Wednesday authorized 5,200 U.N. peacekeepers to replace a 3,300-strong European Union force in Chad and Central African Republic, which have been seriously affected by fighting in neighboring Sudan's Darfur region.

The EU force has focused on helping to protect civilians and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid In eastern Chad and protecting a critical airport in the Central African Republic.

The United Nations already has a mission in the two countries, made up of 863 people, that trains Chad's police and maintains law and order in refugee camps, key towns and areas with large numbers of displaced civilians.

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My Comment: Hmmmm .... I am not optimistic that things will change for Chad with this change of responsibility.

Chad: Is Another Somalia, Bandits Loot Food Trucks And Jungle Laws Applies

A Swedish military convoy prepares to go out on patrol in the Abeche region, eastern Chad, in 2008. The UN Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to deploy 5,200 UN troops to take over from the European Union mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR) in mid-March. (AFP/File/Issouf Sanogo)

From Defense Technology News:

It's quiet out there in eastern Chad, too quiet. The 3,700 European peacemakers may not have a lot of combat capability, but they do have some aircraft and UAVs and information collecting skills.

Apparently the rebel and government forces on both sides of the Sudan border have been receiving more weapons, learning how to use them, and training new recruits.
In other words, while the ceasefire is holding, everyone is getting ready for another round of fighting.

Particularly worrisome are Sudanese probes across the border. This includes Sudanese aircraft crossing the border, apparently to look around, at night. Sudanese ground patrols are also all over the border, including night crossings to check out routes that could be used for more raids.

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My Comment: Another typical failed African nation.