CHAD: DETAINED AMCIT CASE

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000810 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, AF/C AND CA/OCS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PGOV CD LY SUBJECT: CHAD: DETAINED AMCIT CASE REF: NDJAMENA 807 ¶1. (SBU) Radio France International (RFI) broadcast information on the detained Amcit during the 6:30 a.m. (Chad time) Africa news broadcast on October 18. RFI reported that Godbolt had been detained while accompanying members of a Chadian association on a trip from N'Djamena to Bardai. The broadcast mentioned that the association was implementing a pump project funded by the U.S. Embassy in Chad. The segment included an interview with MDJT leader Choua Dazi who stated that Godbolt claimed to be a missionary, but he might in fact be working for the Chadian government. The broadcast also included a brief interview with Godbolt himself (Godbolt has access to a satellite phone which he has used to speak to his wife in N'Djamena). ¶2. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires personally delivered a diplomatic note to the Deputy Foreign Minister on October 18 requesting Government of Chad assistance and good offices in obtaining the immediate release of Godbolt. Minister Moussa Outman did not appear to have been aware of the situation, but immediately grasped the importance and promised to look into it. CDA will meet with members of the Tubu community in N'djamena on Friday October 19 to discuss the case. ¶3. (SBU) Post continues to be in close contact with Godbolt's colleagues in N'Djamena. We have heard from colleagues that Godbolt informed his family that he was in good health. In response to a query from Reuters, PAO informed them that we were aware of an American detained by non-governmental forces in Zoumri, that we do not know the motive for the detention, and that we are in touch with the Government of Chad and have requested their assistance in resolving the situation. ¶4. Minimized considered. TAMLYN