Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NDJAMENA526
2006-04-12 09:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ndjamena
how-toVZCZCXRO0559 PP RUEHGI DE RUEHNJ #0526/01 1020912 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 120912Z APR 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3517 INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 1025 RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA PRIORITY 0336 RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI PRIORITY 1141 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0122 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1268 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 2572 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1656 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 1052 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0673 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0676
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000526
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: A WARY CALM IN NDJAMENA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000526
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: A WARY CALM IN NDJAMENA
1. (SBU) Summary: In a sequence of events which appeared to
surprise both the Chadian government as well as the French
forces in Chad, rebel forces under the loose umbrella group
FUC, possibly in conjunction with southern rebel group led by
Djibrine Dassert, penetrated Chad's eastern border with
Sudan, its southern border with Central African Republic
(CAR) and, on April 11, the central Chadian town of Mongo.
Territory was not held for a significant period of time and
rebel forces moved on in all cases. Rumors of an imminent
rebel assault on the capital circulated the night of April
11, and the town spent a quiet but more than usually tense
night. Amcits were advised to stay in their residences until
further notice and the Embassy consolidated some outlying
family members the night of April 11. The French Ambassador
informed DCM that April 12 would be "business as usual" for
the French community in Chad but reductions of presence may
be in the offing for the french. End summary.
2. (SBU) In a sequence of events which appeared to surprise
both the Chadian government as well as the French forces in
Chad, rebel forces under the loose umbrella group FUC,
possibly in conjunction with southern rebel group led by
Djibrine Dassert, penetrated Chad's eastern border with
Sudan, its southern border with Central African Republic
(CAR) and, on April 11, the central Chadian town of Mongo.
3. (SBU) On April 10, in eastern Chad, rebels entered the
town of Kou Kou (adjacent to Goz Amer refugee camp),entered
the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) compound and
seized communication equipment. The rebels were described as
"aggressive" but did not injure any expatriate staff and were
generally respectful of the UNHCR mandate. However, upon
entering the Goz Amer refugee camp, the rebels exchanged fire
with Chadian gendarmes posted at the entrance of the camp. A
local gendarme subsequently died of his wounds. The rebels
moved on later that night. The UN moved most of its UN/NGO
Kou Kou staff back to Goz Beida and subsequently to Abeche.
They report that operations are continuing normally, with all
humanitarian workers reported safe and a skeleton local staff
managing camps Goz Amer and Djabal. The UN remains at
Security Level Three in eastern Chad, with an effort to
reduce staff overall by extending vacations, limiting new
arrivals, etc. Also on April 10, in southern Chad, rebels
entered via the CAR border and temporarily occupied the small
outpost of Haraze Mangueigne. In central Chad, around 1 p.m.
on April 11, rebels attacked the town of Mongo and headed
north/east for Ati. Mongo is 400 km east of N'djamena.
4. (SBU) Post convened an EAC at 4 p.m. on April 11 and
requested the official American community and Amcits (via the
warden system) to remain in their residences and not
circulate at night. These instructions were consistent with
those given by the French Ambassador to the French community.
The EAC agreed to revise the Chad travel advisory to reflect
changed circumstances as soon as feasible. DCM was informed
by French Ambassador that the rebels were "blocked" in the
town of Bitkine and had not come further in the direction of
N'djamena.
5. (SBU) As night fell in N'djamena, the town took on the
aspect of a ghost town. Word spread quickly that rebel
forces were thought to be within a couple of hours (some 240
kilometers) from N'djamena with a convoy of 50 - 70 vehicles.
The Presidential Palace underwent heavy reinforcement with
the placement of a tank at the entrance. Post asked a
number of Embassy dependents residing in slightly outlying
areas of N'djamena to consolidate in the residential compound
known as the CNPS Compound (also site of the American
school). A warden message was sent by text message and
e-mail to Embassy wardens at 1:30 a.m. advising them that
there were reports of rebels outside of N'djamena.
6. (SBU) April 12 dawned on a calm, but visibly subdued
city with light street traffic. A reduced LES and Amcit work
force is reporting to work at the Embassy. The Chadian army
has reinforced its presence heavily around the city and at
checkpoints outside of town. The French Ambassador reported
to DCM that today was "business as usual" for the French
community, and he has instructed the French School to open
and French embassy employees to report to work, however, he
NDJAMENA 00000526 002 OF 002
will make an announcement later in the day relative to the
French presence. Esso sent non-essential staff home via
Yaounde on 4/11. A core staff of 25 remain in N'djamena.
Post remains in contact with senior Chadian military
officials and senior Presidential advisers.
WALL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: A WARY CALM IN NDJAMENA
1. (SBU) Summary: In a sequence of events which appeared to
surprise both the Chadian government as well as the French
forces in Chad, rebel forces under the loose umbrella group
FUC, possibly in conjunction with southern rebel group led by
Djibrine Dassert, penetrated Chad's eastern border with
Sudan, its southern border with Central African Republic
(CAR) and, on April 11, the central Chadian town of Mongo.
Territory was not held for a significant period of time and
rebel forces moved on in all cases. Rumors of an imminent
rebel assault on the capital circulated the night of April
11, and the town spent a quiet but more than usually tense
night. Amcits were advised to stay in their residences until
further notice and the Embassy consolidated some outlying
family members the night of April 11. The French Ambassador
informed DCM that April 12 would be "business as usual" for
the French community in Chad but reductions of presence may
be in the offing for the french. End summary.
2. (SBU) In a sequence of events which appeared to surprise
both the Chadian government as well as the French forces in
Chad, rebel forces under the loose umbrella group FUC,
possibly in conjunction with southern rebel group led by
Djibrine Dassert, penetrated Chad's eastern border with
Sudan, its southern border with Central African Republic
(CAR) and, on April 11, the central Chadian town of Mongo.
3. (SBU) On April 10, in eastern Chad, rebels entered the
town of Kou Kou (adjacent to Goz Amer refugee camp),entered
the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) compound and
seized communication equipment. The rebels were described as
"aggressive" but did not injure any expatriate staff and were
generally respectful of the UNHCR mandate. However, upon
entering the Goz Amer refugee camp, the rebels exchanged fire
with Chadian gendarmes posted at the entrance of the camp. A
local gendarme subsequently died of his wounds. The rebels
moved on later that night. The UN moved most of its UN/NGO
Kou Kou staff back to Goz Beida and subsequently to Abeche.
They report that operations are continuing normally, with all
humanitarian workers reported safe and a skeleton local staff
managing camps Goz Amer and Djabal. The UN remains at
Security Level Three in eastern Chad, with an effort to
reduce staff overall by extending vacations, limiting new
arrivals, etc. Also on April 10, in southern Chad, rebels
entered via the CAR border and temporarily occupied the small
outpost of Haraze Mangueigne. In central Chad, around 1 p.m.
on April 11, rebels attacked the town of Mongo and headed
north/east for Ati. Mongo is 400 km east of N'djamena.
4. (SBU) Post convened an EAC at 4 p.m. on April 11 and
requested the official American community and Amcits (via the
warden system) to remain in their residences and not
circulate at night. These instructions were consistent with
those given by the French Ambassador to the French community.
The EAC agreed to revise the Chad travel advisory to reflect
changed circumstances as soon as feasible. DCM was informed
by French Ambassador that the rebels were "blocked" in the
town of Bitkine and had not come further in the direction of
N'djamena.
5. (SBU) As night fell in N'djamena, the town took on the
aspect of a ghost town. Word spread quickly that rebel
forces were thought to be within a couple of hours (some 240
kilometers) from N'djamena with a convoy of 50 - 70 vehicles.
The Presidential Palace underwent heavy reinforcement with
the placement of a tank at the entrance. Post asked a
number of Embassy dependents residing in slightly outlying
areas of N'djamena to consolidate in the residential compound
known as the CNPS Compound (also site of the American
school). A warden message was sent by text message and
e-mail to Embassy wardens at 1:30 a.m. advising them that
there were reports of rebels outside of N'djamena.
6. (SBU) April 12 dawned on a calm, but visibly subdued
city with light street traffic. A reduced LES and Amcit work
force is reporting to work at the Embassy. The Chadian army
has reinforced its presence heavily around the city and at
checkpoints outside of town. The French Ambassador reported
to DCM that today was "business as usual" for the French
community, and he has instructed the French School to open
and French embassy employees to report to work, however, he
NDJAMENA 00000526 002 OF 002
will make an announcement later in the day relative to the
French presence. Esso sent non-essential staff home via
Yaounde on 4/11. A core staff of 25 remain in N'djamena.
Post remains in contact with senior Chadian military
officials and senior Presidential advisers.
WALL