Chad: Peace agreement of 7 January 2002 between the government and MDJT rebels; implementation of the terms of the agreement, release of prisoners and any amnesty given to rebels; whether the terms of the agreement extend to all members and sympathizers of the MDJT

During a meeting of members of the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (Mouvement pour la démocratie et la justice au Tchad, MDJT) between 11 and 19 December 2001 in Sebha, Libya, Youssouf Togoimi was re-elected president of the Movement (Afrique Express 2 Jan. 2002; Radio France Internationale 30 Dec. 2001). On 25 December 2001, Togoimi announced that the MDJT was ready to negotiate with the Chadian government to find a solution to the armed conflict that started in October 1998 in the northern Tibesti region of the country (ibid.; Afrique Express 2 Jan. 2002; AFP 25 Dec. 2001; ibid. 26 Dec. 2001). Togoimi reportedly made this announcement at the request of Libyan president Mouammar Kadhafi, who had been tasked by the Community of Sahelian-Saharan States (COMESSA) to find a solution to armed conflicts among its member states (ibid.; ibid. 25 Dec. 2001). Adoum Maurice El-Bongo, the MDJT's first vice-chairman, stated that the MDJT wanted to become "a real political and military movement. This is what led us to envisage suggesting a peace proposal to N'djamena" (Radio France Internationale 30 Dec. 2001).

On 3 January 2002, a delegation of the Chadian government led by Interior Minister Adberahman Moussa left for Tripoli, Libya, to start negotiations with representatives of the MDJT (AFP 3 Jan. 2002). After three days of negotiations, the Chadian government and the MDJT signed a peace agreement on 7 January 2002 (BBC 7 Jan. 2002; PANA 7 Jan. 2002; Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; AP 7 Jan. 2002). The agreement was signed by Moussa, MDJT representative Adam Togoi and Libyan African Unity Minister Ali Abdel Salam Triki (Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; IRIN 8 Jan. 2002). This agreement provided for an immediate ceasefire (Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; PANA 7 Jan. 2002; BBC 7 Jan. 2002), the abstention from any direct or indirect military action, the end of all media campaigns (PANA 7 Jan. 2002; Afrik.com 9 Jan. 2002), the free movement of persons and goods (ibid.; PANA 7 Jan. 2002; Fraternité Matin 11 Jan. 2002), the release of all prisoners held by both parties (Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; BBC 7 Jan. 2002; IRIN 8 Jan. 2002), the involvement of MDJT leaders in the government and other state institutions (ibid.; BBC 7 Jan. 2002), the integration of rebel combatants into the Chadian regular army (ibid.; Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; Fraternité Matin 11 Jan. 2002) and a general amnesty for MDJT rebels (AP 7 Jan. 2002). Libya was charged with monitoring the application of the agreement's terms (BBC 7 Jan. 2002; Jeune Afrique 7 Jan. 2002; Afrik.com 9 Jan. 2002).

The agreement also provided for the establishment, within two months of the conclusion of the agreement, of three commissions responsible for refining the details of the agreement's implementation (ibid.; Fraternité Matin 11 Jan. 2002; PANA 7 Jan. 2002), namely a political and legal commission, a military and security commission and a socio-economic commission (ibid.). The political and legal commission was to determine the terms of the MDJT's involvement in the Chadian government and state institutions, while the military and security commission was to determine the terms of the integration of the MDJT's combatants into the regular army (ibid.). A January 2002 report stated that the military commission had already started its work under Libya's supervision (Radio France Internationale 23 Jan. 2002). Ali-al-Turayki, Kadhafi's African affairs advisor, stated that the commission "is really going to oversee the halt of the fighting, separate the forces, and establish peace in this part of the Chad" (ibid.). A February 2002 report stated that this military commission was working in the Tibesti region and was composed of 30 representatives from the MDJT, 30 representatives of the Chadian government and 60 Libyan officials (Jeune Afrique 27 Feb. 2002).

However, this peace agreement left the local press of N'djamena skeptical as to the effective implementation of its terms, according to Jeune Afrique (17 Jan. 2002). According to another report, observers said "doubts remained about [the agreement's] scope" and were "skeptical about the way in which the deal was signed, and the chances of its success" (AFP 8 Jan. 2002). The exiled opposition group named National Movement for Chadian Renewal (MNRT) stated that "Kadhafi was using the deal as a ploy to bring [Chadian president] Deby down and put the MDJT leader, Youssouf Togoimi, in his place" (ibid.). Other observers wondered why the agreement was not signed by Togoimi himself but by his deputy, Adoum Togoi, and whether Togoimi "fully endorsed the deal" (ibid.).

On 26 February 2002, the Chadian parliament passed a law granting amnesty to all members of the MDJT as part of the peace agreement signed on 7 January 2002 (AFP 26 Feb. 2002; Jeune Afrique 27 Feb. 2002; BBC 27 Feb. 2002; IRIN 28 Feb. 2002). The law was adopted with 64 votes in favour, one against and 21 abstentions (ibid.; AFP 26 Feb. 2002). The members of the Chadian opposition reportedly boycotted the vote because it "was still unclear what role the MDJT would play in legislative elections set for April 21" (ibid.). On 27 February 2002, the MDJT stated that it was satisfied with the terms of this amnesty, but regretted that the date of 21 April 2002 had been maintained for the legislative elections, as it did not provide enough time to pursue negotiations to have the MDJT recognized as a political party, a situation that prevented it from participating in the elections (Jeune Afrique 27 Feb. 2002). The legislative elections were held as planned on 21 April, and President Idriss Deby's Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement patriotique du salut, MPS) "swept the boards ... taking 112 of the 155 seats" (AFP 30 Apr. 2002).

Talks resumed in Tripoli between the MDJT and the Chadian government on 22 March 2002 (AFP 10 Apr. 2002). The MDJT proposed the establishment of "a national consensus government (GNC), charged with overseeing reforms to Chad's defense and security forces, the judiciary and public administration," and also that the prime minister "be drawn from the ranks of the rebel movement and remain in office until the end of Deby's current presidential term" (ibid.). Since the response of the government was negative to these proposals, the MDJT accused the government, in an 8 April 2002 statement, of "blocking the peace process" (ibid.). The government in turn accused the MDJT of doing the same, stating that its "demands were unacceptable because they 'called into the question the constitution'" (ibid.).

Adoum Togoi, who was the head of the MDJT's National Reconciliation Commission (Commission de réconciliation nationale, CRN) (PANA 7 Jan. 2002) and second vice-president of the MDJT (AFP 19 May 2002), was reportedly wounded and kidnapped by Youssouf Togoimi after being ambushed in May 2002 (ibid.). This alleged incident occurred following "reports of differences between Togoi and other leaders of the [MDJT] over what policy to adopt in negotiations with the Chad government" (ibid.). Negotiations with the government were interrupted earlier that month "due to differences within the rebel movement" (ibid.). While Togoimi wanted the future head of the government to be drawn from its membership, Togoi was promoting a more conciliatory attitude (ibid.; Radio France Internationale 29 May 2002). In a 20 May 2002 press release signed by MDJT's spokesperson Adam Hamid, the MDJT confirmed that it was holding Togoi in the Ennedi region to obtain from him [translation] "explanations and clarifications on the negotiation process," but denied that Togoi had been wounded and ambushed. One source describes the division within the MDJT as follows:

Clearly, nothing for now shows that talks will resume in Libya. The movement is really divided. On one side, the moderates are under the leadership of the second vice president Adoum Togoi, that is, those who pushed for the signing of the 7 January accord.

On the other side, the hard-liner camp of MDJT leader Togoimi, and Toubu fighters, who are now taking over in the scheme of things (Radio France Internationale 28 June 2002).

On 27 May 2002, 64 people were killed in a clash between MDJT rebels and government troops in the northern Ennedi region; among them, 60 were government soldiers and four were MDJT members (AFP 29 May 2002a; AfricaOnline 30 May 2002; BBC 29 May 2002). This was reportedly the first violent incident since the signing of the peace agreement in January 2002 (ibid.). Negotiations between the MDJT and the government which had come to a halt on 19 April 2002 (AFP 5 June 2002), reportedly due to "splits within rebel ranks," were supposed to resume a week before the clash, but Communications Minister Moctar Wawa Dahab stated he "feared [this] attack might jeopardise the agreement" (BBC 29 May 2002). A Chadian newspaper reported that the resumption of hostilities was [translation] "foreseeable" due to the suspension of negotiations between the two parties (AFP 29 May 2002b). One source stated that "both sides disclaimed responsibility for the first bloody clash officially registered since the Tripoli agreement" and that "Deby has meanwhile accused the MDJT of having four times violated the ceasefire" (ibid. 8 June 2002a).

On 5 June 2002, government sources stated that the MDJT was bringing reinforcements into northern Tibesti, where MDJT rebels from Sebha, Libya, were reportedly seen getting off an airplane, adding that Togoimi was also about to leave Sebha to return to Chad (ibid. 5 June 2002). Togoimi, who is said to have rejected the peace agreement (ibid. 26 June 2002; ibid. 8 June 2002a), had remained in Libya "for months" (ibid.). The MDJT denied however that it was strengthening its military position and in turn accused the government of sending more troops and material to Tibesti (ibid. 8 June 2002b; Africa No. 1 8 June 2002). Togoimi returned to the Yebi-Bou area of Tibesti on 26 June 2002 (AFP 26 June 2002). The Chadian Communication Minister said he was "wondering whether the MDJT leader has returned to sue for peace or to make war" (Radio France Internationale 28 June 2002).

Government sources also claimed that Libyan officials hadn't intervened in the conflict since Togoi was detained (AFP 5 June 2002), and President Idriss Deby "cast doubt on whether Libya was continuing to show goodwill as a mediator" (ibid. 8 June 2002a). Deby also questioned what role Libya was playing in the internal divisions among the MDJT and said [translation] "we know very well that the MDJT is developing from Libya" (ibid. 9 June 2002). A June 2002 report stated that the possibility of applying the peace agreement [translation] "never seemed so fragile" and that all further negotiations seemed hindered as long as Togoi was being held (ibid.). AFP stated that President Deby also seemed to reject any future participation of the rebels in his government, even though this was a provision of the 7 January 2002 agreement (ibid.).

On 11 June 2002, Youssouf Togoimi signed a decision dissolving the National Reconciliation Commission (Commission de réconciliation nationale, CRN) of the MDJT and suspending seven of its members for [translation] "activities incompatible with the objectives of the movement" (MDJT 11 June 2002). The seven suspended members denounced the [translation] "authoritative drift" in Youssouf Togoimi's leadership (AFP 24 June 2002). On 1 July 2002, approximately 200 members of the MDJT from the Yebi-Bou region defected to join government forces and were welcomed in Kalait by General Hoki Dagache, president of the military commission set up following the peace agreement (ibid. 1 July 2002; ibid. 2 July 2002). The dissidents stated they did so because the MDJT was no longer respecting its ideals (ibid.). The only condition they gave was to be integrated shortly into the army (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa No. 1 [Libreville, in French]. 8 June 2002. "Chad: Rebel Movement Denies Strengthening Position in Northwest." (BBC Monitoring 9 June 2002/NEXIS)

AfricaOnline. 30 May 2002. "Chad: Scores Killed in Clashes." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Afrik.com. 9 January 2002. Olivia Marsaud. "La Libye parraine la paix tchadienne." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Afrique Express. 2 January 2002. No. 242. "Tchad : ça bouge sur tous les fronts." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Agence France Presse (AFP). 2 July 2002. "Pour ses ex-combattants, le MDJT 'ne respecte plus' ses idéaux." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 1 July 2002. "Ralliement aux forces gouvernementales de 200 éléments du MDJT." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 26 June 2002. "Chad: Military Source Says Rebel Leader Togoimi Returns Home from Lybia." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0626 26 June 2002/WNC)

______. 24 June 2002. "Les membres suspendus du MDJT dénoncent une 'dérive autoritaire'." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 9 June 2002. "Tibesti : le jeu ambigu de la Libye inquiète N'Djamena." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 8 June 2002a. "Chad: President Deby on Negotiations with Rebels." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0608 26 June 2002/WNC)

______. 8 June 2002b. "Le MDJT dément se renforcer dans le Tibesti." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 5 June 2002. "N'Djamena accuse le MDJT de se renforcer dans le Tibesti." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 29 May 2002a. "64 morts dans un affrontement lundi entre armée tchadienne et rebelles (MDJT)." (NEXIS)

______. 29 May 2002b. "La rébellion a 'violé' l'accord de paix, selon la presse tchadienne." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 19 May 2002. "Opposition Politician Kidnapped in Chad: Military." (NEXIS)

______. 30 April 2002. "President's Party Wins Chad Election." (NEXIS)

______. 10 April 2002. "Chad: Rebels Accuse Government of 'Blocking Peace Process'." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0410 10 Apr. 2002/WNC)

______. 26 February 2002. "Chad Announces Amnesty for Main Northern Rebel Group." (NEXIS)

______. 8 January 2002. "Chad Groups Hail Peace Accord, But Doubts Remain." (NEXIS)

______. 3 January 2002. "Chad: Government Delegation Heads to Tripoli for Talks with Rebels." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0103 3 Jan. 2002/WNC)

______. 26 December 2001. Frédéric Jeammes. "Tchad : les rebelles offrent de négocier." (Cyberpresse.ca) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 25 December 2001. "Le MDJT décide d'engager des négociations de paix avec N'Djamena." (Cyberpresse.ca) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Associated Press (AP). 7 January 2002. "Accord de cessez-le-feu entre la rébellion tchadienne et N'Djamena." (Cyberpresse.ca) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

BBC News. 29 May 2002. "Dozens 'Dead' in Chad Fighting." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 27 February 2002. "Amnesty for Chad Rebels." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 7 January 2002. "Chad Peace Deal Signed." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Fraternité Matin [Abidjan]. 11 January 2002. "Tchad : le président Idriss Deby reconnaissant au colonel Mouammar Kadhafi." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 28 February 2002. "Chad: Parliament Passes Amnesty Bill for Rebels." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 8 January 2002. "Chad: Government, Rebels Sign Peace Deal." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent. 7 January 2002. "Tchad : accord de 'réconciliation' entre le MDJT et N'Djamena." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 17 January 2002. "Tchad : l'accord de paix laisse la presse de N'Djamena sceptique." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 27 February 2002. "Tchad : le MDJT, satisfait de l'amnistie, regrette le maintien des législatives." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Mouvement pour la démocratie et la justice au Tchad (MDJT). 11 June 2002. "Décision No. 007 MDJT/02 portant dissolution du Bureau de la représentation de la commission de réconciliation nationale du MDJT." (Africatime) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

______. 20 May 2002. "Communiqué de presse du MDJT." [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 7 January 2002. Ali Dellali. "Signature d'un accord de paix entre N'djaména et le MDJT." (Sangonet) [Accessed 3 July 2002]

Radio France Internationale [Paris, in French]. 28 June 2002. "Chad: Rebel MDJT Issues Communiqué Announcing Leader's Return." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0702 2 July 2002/WNC)

______. 29 May 2002. "Chad: Government Reports Rebel Attack on Soldiers 27 May, Libya Informed." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0529 29 May 2002/WNC)

______. 23 January 2002. "Chad: Lybia Pledges Aid for Tibesti; Deby Returns Home for Talks with Opposition." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0124 23 Jan. 2002/WNC)

______. 30 December 2001. "Chad: Rebel Official Says Decision to Start Peace Talks Not Quite Change of Heart." (FBIS-AFR-2001-1231 30 Dec. 2001/WNC)

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential, 2001-2002

IRB Databases

Internet sites including:

Africatime

BBC

Cyperpresse.ca

Fraternité Matin, Abidjan

IRIN

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent

Reliefweb

Search engines including:

Google