CLAMPDOWN ON CHAD'S INDEPENDENT VOICES AS SUDAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000039 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL CD SU SUBJECT: CLAMPDOWN ON CHAD'S INDEPENDENT VOICES AS SUDAN TAKES CENTER STAGE REF: NDJAMENA 18 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Chad is ratchetting up hostility against Sudan and displaying less tolerance for criticism. Human rights activists have noted a deterioration in the overall human rights situation: targets of the clampdown include radio and print journalists, a human rights activist and individuals suspected of collusion with rebels. End Summary. Vive le President and down with Sudan -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In tandem with the January 6 and 7 aerial bombing against Chadian rebel targets in Sudanese territory (reftel), the Government of Chad has launched a blitz of public statements denouncing Sudanese aggression. At the well-attended opening of the World Bank seminar on Chad's Poverty Reduction Strategy on January 9, Prime Minister Kassire compared President Bechir to the notorious 19th century war-lord Rabah and accused him of being a modern day slave-trader. The Government has also orchestrated a series of rallies for members of civil society and students to demonstrate popular support for President Deby and to denounce the actions of the "mercenaries" recruited by Sudan to overthrow the regime. A third rally is planned for the coming weekend. The events have been peaceful, with reports that a small stipend is offered to encourage participants to attend. On January 11, members of the diplomatic corps and about 400 of the Chadian "who's who" were summoned to the Presidency to greet the President on the occasion of the New Year. In his address, President Deby summarized his administration's accomplishments in the economic and social realm and accused President Bechir of trying to destroy Chad. The President spoke standing up, but was visibly fatigued and appeared to have some difficulty reading the text. ¶3. (SBU) Against these efforts to drum up support for the President's actions against Sudan, the government's tolerance for criticism appears to be diminishing. In mid-December, Notre Temps Director Benoudjita Nodjikimo was detained for an editorial in which he accused President Deby of human rights abuses during the Habre regime. He was released but will face charges. According to Jacqueline Moudeina of the Association Tchadienne pour la Promotion et la Defense des Droits de l'Homme (ATPDH),Nodjikimo was tortured during his detention. Moudeina confided to PolOff that Nodjikimo and his family might need to leave the country and requested USG assistance with visas. On January 17, police raided the studio of independent radio "FM Liberte," taking the Director into custody and closing down the station. FM Liberte may have crossed the line in airing interviews with students returning from a government-organized rally in which the students asked the President to stop the war and complained that they were tired of the fighting. FM Liberte is a current recipient of U.S. Embassy Democracy and Human Rights grants for human rights broadcasts. ¶4. (SBU) On January 9, the government detained Deuzoumbe Daniel, President of the prominent human rights association "Human Rights Without Borders" for 24 hours. Human Rights Without Borders had issued a press release calling attention to the apparent disappearance of senior Ministry of Finance official, Rozi Mamy, on December 31. According to rumors in N'Djamena, Mamy (who resurfaced some 10 ays later) may have fallen under suspicion for pssing satellite phone cards to a relative in therebellion; Deuzombe's press release intimated that he had been detained for implicating members of the President's family in a corruption scheme. In a meeting with DCM and PolOff prior to being summoned to the police station, Deuzombe had called attention to the government's efforts to clamp down on freedom of expression by using intimidation and threats against human rights organizations and journalists. ¶5. (SBU) The aftermath of violent clashes between rebels and government forces in November/December 2007 and its impact on civil and political liberties is still being assessed. Deuzombe has attempted to follow up on rumors of executions of prisoners in N'Djamena but reported to DCM and PolOff that he had nothing concrete. Both the ICRC and Deuzombe had heard rumors of battlefield executions, but could not confirm any names. The ICRC Country Director commented to DCM on January 11 that the lack of information might be the result of both sides having committed summary executions, and therefore neither side being eager to come forward and denounce the acts. His delegate in the border town of Adre had reported that the bodies of some young men found outside of town might be the result of army sweeps of suspected rebel sympathizers. Both Human Rights Without Borders and the NDJAMENA 00000039 002 OF 002 International Red Cross are keeping an eye on the situation of the Sultan of Dar Tama who - along with some seven other Guereda authorities -- had been relieved of his duties and spirited to N'Djamena, presumably on suspicion of having collaborated with FUC rebels in the November/December fighting. The Sultan and his colleague are believed to be unharmed, but have not been released or charged. Comment: ¶6. (SBU) Many Chadians see the bellicose words as a smoke-screen for what is essentially an inter-family dispute that has its roots in Chad and will end in Chad. While the tactics being used against the media, human rights organizations and suspected rebels are not new or unusual, the President's exclusive focus on striking back at the rebels will clearly dominate government actions and decisions for the near future. NIGRO