Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FESTTWO2
2008-02-18 15:53:00
SECRET
US Delegation FEST TWO
Cable title:  

N'DJAMENA 002: FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT DEBY WARN

Tags:  PREL PREF PGOV PHUM SU CD 
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 FEST TWO 000002 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV PHUM SU CD
SUBJECT: N'DJAMENA 002: FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT DEBY WARN
THAT SUDAN IS REARMING REBELS


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CLASSIFIED BY: LucyTamlyn, Deputy Chief of Mission , U.S.
Embassy N'Djamena , State Department .
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 FEST TWO 000002

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV PHUM SU CD
SUBJECT: N'DJAMENA 002: FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT DEBY WARN
THAT SUDAN IS REARMING REBELS


FEST TWO 00000002 001.2 OF 003


CLASSIFIED BY: LucyTamlyn, Deputy Chief of Mission , U.S.
Embassy N'Djamena , State Department .
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (S) Summary. The French here believe that they have credible
evidence of direct Sudanese involvement in the most recent
Chadian rebel attack on N'Djamena. Rebel forces are still in
eastern Chad, and reportedly are being rearmed and resupplied
by Sudan. The Ambassador presented his credentials to President
Deby on February 16 and was informed by the President that he
expects a "third attack." End summary.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador met with French Ambassador Bruno
Foucher on February 15 to thank him for French assistance in the
evacuation of American citizens and American Embassy employees
during the fighting in N'Djamena, praising the high level of
professionalism and efficacy of the French soldiers. Ambassador
Foucher noted that he and his staff had themselves endured some
difficult hours (including some horizontal stints on the floor
of the Embassy) when the Chadian Army (ANT) and rebel forces
clashed in the vicinity of the French Embassy. Foucher felt
that the French Embassy had been in no way targeted, but simply
lay along the axis of rebel approach (as did the American
Embassy).


3. (S) Ambassador Foucher informed the Ambassador that they
had credible evidence of direct Sudanese involvement in the
attack and provided a transcript of a phone conversation
(obtained by sigint) 6etween Sudanese Intelligence Head Saleh
Gosh and UFDD rebel leader Mahamat Nouri. According to
Foucher, the Sudanese seek to overthrow President Deby in order
to block EUFOR deployment and to end the "Zaghawa axis" of
action between Chad and Sudan. Foucher noted that President
Deby had, in fact, been trying to avoid being in debt to the
Sudanese Zaghawa rebels. Ironically, Sudan's proxy attack had
obliged him to call on them for assistance, thereby further
strengthening that bond.


4.(C) Ambassador Foucher himself had no doubts of Sudanese
complicity. He acknowledged that the rebels were Chadian, but
noted that among the rebel forces captured the Chadians had
found sixty Sudanese army uniforms and other evidence of
Sudanese involvement. Right now the rebels were in fact still
in Chadian territory, being rearmed and resupplied by Sudan.
The UFDD was not far from Ade, and the RFC was near Kou Kou.
Foucher noted that there appeared to be dissention between the
rebel groups, but cautioned that the war was not over. The
Chadians had bombed the rebel positions and also intended a land
attack using JEM forces. Foucher reported that President Deby
had told him that the northern section of N'Djamena was not
under Government of Chad control -- the neighborhood had been
infiltrated by rebels who were walking about in mufti.


5. (C) Ambassador Foucher noted that the absence of JEM forces
in Sudan (presumably having moved over to Chad to assist the
President) had left a void. The Government of Sudan had taken
advantage of this to resume attacks within Sudan. As a result,
new refugees were streaming into Chad. Ten thousand had already
crossed, and the number could go as high as 40,000 according to
UNHCR. Foucher reported that UNHCR had also told him that the
Government was not eager to host the new refugees. (Note: UNHCR
Head Serge Male reported the same to the Ambassador on September

14. End note)


6. (C) Ambassador Foucher explained that France was also
concerned by the fate of the missing opposition leaders. He had
requested and received permission from President Deby to visit
former President Lol Choa the previous night in a military
prison. According to Foucher, the government claimed that Choa
had been picked up in a general sweep that took place near the
villa of UFDD leader Mahamat Nouri. Choa had not been
recognized and had spent some time in a common prison. He was
now in a better location, although still held. The fate of
opposition leaders Ibni Oumar and Ngarlejy Yorongar was not
known. According to Ambassador Foucher, they could possibly be
out of the country or in hiding. He noted that other opposition

FEST TWO 00000002 002.2 OF 003


coalition (CPDC) members - former Prime Minister Jean Alingue
and opposition leader Salibou Garba - had in fact held a meeting
the day before; he did not believe that there was a systematic
hunting-down of opposition leaders or suppression of opposition
activities. Acknowledging that the Government's excuse of not
recognizing former President Choa sounded fishy, Ambassador
Foucher noted that he had heard the same explanation from three
different sources, and therefore it appeared to have some
credibility.


7. (SBU) Ambassador Foucher also informed the Ambassador that
prominent human rights activists Delphine Djiraibe Kemneloum and
Jacqueline Modeina had been given refuge at the French base.
The French informed the President that they intended to take
them out of the country. President Deby assented, and Kemneloum
and Modeina were given French visas and transported to
Libreville by French forces. As for the whereabouts of former
Minister of Defense Mahamat Nour, last reported to be in the
Libyan Embassy, Ambassador Foucher speculated that he had
probably taken advantage of a Libyan flight evacuating Libyan
diplomats to leave town (but this was not confirmed).

AMBASSADOR NIGRO PRESENTS CREDENTIALS
-------------- --------------
--------------


8. (SBU) On Saturday, February 16, Ambassador Nigro was called
to the Presidential Palace to present his credentials to
President Deby (the Belgian Ambassador, resident in Libya, also
presented his credentials the same day). Following the
ceremony, President Deby (looking alert, but with a hoarse
voice) expressed his satisfaction at the continued
representation in Chad by "a great country." He welcomed the
cooperation extended by the United States in diverse areas, but
said that more could be done, particularly given the war against
terror, our economic ties and in the face of certain enemies.
We aren't disappointed, he explained, but reiterated that Chad
deserved more. President Deby assured the Ambassador support
for his mission in Chad, and noted that, although there might be
problems and a lack of understanding from time to time, the
dialogue between the two countries was "calm and balanced."
Turning to the events of last week he stated that Sudan was
re-arming the rebels and a third attack was expected on
N'djamena. He thanked the United States for having condemned
efforts to take power by force of arms and noted that the
Security Council had also supported Chad. Foreign Minister
Allam-mi would be traveling to New York and Washington in the
coming days to argue Chad's case before the UN and with
Washington authorities. The President commented that Chad was
in a State of Emergency for fifteen days. There had been great
damage, the institutions of government had ceased to function,
and time was needed to get these back up and running. He
assured the Ambassador that this would be done with respect for
the Constitution, and for human rights.


9. (SBU) Ambassador Nigro thanked the President for the
cooperation which Chad had extended. He reassured the President
that the U.S. diplomatic presence in Chad had not been
interrupted at any time during the hostilities. Some staff were
in Cameroon, but the Embassy was functioning. He explained that
his mission in Chad represented continuation of U.S. cooperation
and friendship between the Chadian and American people, and
support for Chad's political, economic and social development.
He explained that he would look for ways to continue
cooperation, and noted that Ambassador Bechir had requested the
visit of a high ranking U.S. Government official for
consultations. This visit was being organized and further
information would be made available.


10. (SBU) Government-run TV and radio reported on the
presentation of credentials in news spots throughout the day.
The main point highlighted was the Ambassador's statement to the
press following presentation in which he stated that the United
States was closely following the situation in Chad.

COMMENT
--------------


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11. (C) The notion that former President Choa could be picked up
by mistake and not recognized is not credible, but provides a
useful alibi for the Government in the face of widespread
national and international concern at the detention of one of
Chad's most prominent political leaders and the questions
concerning the whereabouts of others.
THOMPSON