Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NDJAMENA1259
2006-10-24 16:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:  

N'DJAMENA ON HIGH ALERT

Tags:  ASEC MOPS PREL CD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8696
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHNJ #1259 2971635
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241635Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4495
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 0335
RUFGNOA/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001259 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, USEUCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: ASEC MOPS PREL CD
SUBJECT: N'DJAMENA ON HIGH ALERT

REF: N'DJAMENA 1255

Classified By: PolOff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001259

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, USEUCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2016
TAGS: ASEC MOPS PREL CD
SUBJECT: N'DJAMENA ON HIGH ALERT

REF: N'DJAMENA 1255

Classified By: PolOff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Summary. N'Djamena is on high alert as rebel forces
have moved into central Chad. End summary.


2. (SBU) With the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the
dry season, rebel activity, as expected, has increased in
eastern Chad. Embassy contacts are reporting that rebel
forces entered the eastern town of Goz Beida on Sunday
(10/22),Am Timam (11,02 N; 20,17 E) on Monday, and
overnighted in Abou Deia (11, 27 N; 19,17 E) on Monday
evening. There is an unconfirmed report of fighting in Iriba
(15,07 N; 22,15 E). Sources believe it is rebel strategy to
take and hold either Mongo (12,11 N; 18,42 E) or Ati (13,13
N; 18,20 E),both in central Chad, until reinforced by rebel
units still along the Chad/Sudan border.


3. (C) French Ambassador Bercot told Ambassador Wall today
(10/24) that the French currently suspect that the move by
the rebels into central Chad is designed to draw the Chadian
National Army (ANT) from its heavily fortified positions
along the Sudan border. With the border weakened, rebel
reinforcements would be able to enter Chad and join rebel
units in the vicinity of Mongo. The French have verified
that 40 to 50 vehicles are involved in the operation. Some
are loaded with fuel containers. Both the rebel forces and
the Chadian army have avoided contact so far. Another
Embassy source stated that an ANT column led by BG Moussa
Sougui and Col. Abderahim Bahr Itno was searching for the
rebels in order to engage them in battle, but was
unsuccessful in finding them and returned to Mongo.


4. (C) According to DAO sources, last night the 1st PSI
(Pan-Sahel Initiative) battalion was sent to reinforce Mongo,
where rebel forces appear to be heading with 50 to 100
vehicles. The 2nd PSI battalion will remain on alert in
Koundoul near N,Djamena to defend the city. The Chadian
army postponed the training of a 3rd PSI battalion, scheduled
to begin this morning, until the situation stabilizes.


5. (U) Embassy officers noted the deployment of at least
two tanks around the presidential palace, and guards appeared
to be more alert than usual. A tank passed by the Chancery
this afternoon (NFI). RSO expects a significant increase in
checkpoints and roadblocks beginning this evening.


6. (U) The situation in N,Djamena is currently calm,
though rumors abound. ESSO is sending 21 dependents out of
country this evening on commercial air and possibly 10 TDYers
out tomorrow. The French have not changed their security
posture but are meeting with French citizens this afternoon.
We held an EAC meeting this morning (Septel) and are
preparing a warden message for American citizens. We will
hold a joint warden/OSAC meeting tomorrow.


7. (U) Comment. The initial reports indicate that rebel
forces may be acting in concert, something they have been
unable to do in the past. Current GOC and rebel activity
indicates better strategic and tactical thinking on both
sides than was exhibited in the rebel attack on N,Djamena
last April. If it is indeed rebel strategy to draw the ANT
from its fortified positions in eastern Chad, the ANT has not
yet taken the bait. The lessons of the rebel defeat last
April at the gates of N,Djamena and the ANT defeat last
month at Hadjer Mufane appear to be taking hold, for now.
Alternatively, if a major clash occurs and GOC forces are
defeated, Deby may no longer be capable of rallying the
troops. End comment.


8. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
WALL