The two presidents met during Deby’s 2 day visit in Bangui last week.This visit, according to observers, aimed at unfreezing tensions between both countries caused by a series of community altercations.

It should be pointed out that the relations between CAR and Chad were excellent after the 15 March 2003 political change which brought Gen Francois Bozize to power. Chadian troops and rebels were said to have combated for Bozize during the “liberation war.”

However, the relations between Central African citizens and Chadian nationals residing in CAR have ceased to be good due the fact that Central Africans accuse Chadians of behaving as if they were on a conquered territory. As for Chadians, they accuse Central Africans, namely Central African defense and security forces of murdering and racketeering Chadian nationals residing in CAR. On several occasions, Chadian traders have gone on strike, closing their shops in protest of killings of fellow citizens.

The recent killing of a Chadian shepherd in Kabo and the police misconduct which led to the murder to two Chadian traders in Bangui contributed to deteriorate relations between both countries, to the point that Chadian troops ensuring the protection of Gen Bozize were withdrawn.

It is in order to dissipate these clouds that President Idriss Deby Itno thought useful to come to Bangui and talk to his brother and counterpart and also to Chadian nationals. At the end of the state visit, the heads of diplomacy of both countries issued a joint communiqué, saying “the two heads of states recalled and highlighted the need for actually implementing the decisions of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African, CEMAC, regarding free movements of people, their properties, and stay of their compatriots residing in their respective countries.

In order to re-activate and diversify these relations, the heads of states agreed on the need to re-update, in not a too distant future, the CHAD-CAR Great Joint Cooperation Commission.”

Concerning the deployment of EU and UN force in the east of Chad and northeast of CAR, Idriss Deby Itno said, “there will be no confusion between EUFOR and the defense and security forces of both countries.” According to Deby, “EUFOR cannot replace local forces. They will accomplish their mission within time limit.”

Finally, although this visit is a good omen for bilateral relations, observers believe that this visit cannot dissipate all clouds in the relations between CAR and Chad that are condemned to live together and to cooperate.


Keywords:  central_africa chad human_rights society