As the global financial markets go into a tailspin, the rest of the world continues to face challenges and people continue to suffer. As I pointed out in a post on Friday, the noise emanating from Zimbabwe has faded a bit but the problems in that country loom. So too does the ongoing conflict in Chad continue to put its people at risk of harm from war, disease and famine.
On September 24, the International Crisis Group issued a report entitled, “Chad: A New Conflict Resolution Framework.” The report identifies the key challenges facing this Saharan nation and makes 22 recommendations to the Chad government major players with influence over resolution to the problems in this landlocked problem. The importance of this report cannot be underemphasized. The conflict in Chad and neighboring Sudan will continue and people in the region will continue to suffer and die unless steps are taken by responsible leaders around the world.
The report notes that the crisis in Chad is largely internal but has be exacerbated by its neighbor to the east, Sudan. The ruling party, led by Chad’s president Idriss Deby remains in conflict with the opposition party. An agreement entered into by the two parties in 2007 has failed but must be revived if positive change is to occur.
Sudan’s attacks on refugee camps inside of Chad compound the problems, both creating critical tensions on Chad’s border while emboldening President Deby’s oppressive regime.
Three Track Process for Reform
The ICG recommends a three-track process of dialogue and substantive action, involving the Chadian government, the Sudan, Senegal, Libya, France, the European Union, the African Union, MINURCAT and EUFOR, with 22 points of action.
Internal Negotiations
The first track calls for building on the August 2007 agreement calling for political negotiations within Chad including both political parties and civil society groups. The negotiations would include decentralization of government, revenue sharing, judicial reforms and restructuring of the government administration.
A Permanent Cease-Fire
The second track would focus on the armed rebellion and a real cease-fire between the warring parties.
Settlement of the Regional Conflict
The third track would focus on the regional problems related to the conflict, engaging both Sudan and Chad to demobilize support for their opponent’s internal opposition.
For a complete copy of this report, go to http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5694&l=1.
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