CHAD REBEL INCURSION MOVES WESTWARD

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000064 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OPS, AF/C, DS AND CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR CASC MOPS SU CD PINS ASEC SUBJECT: CHAD REBEL INCURSION MOVES WESTWARD REF: NDJAMENA 0063 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Chad rebels have moved across the border, bypassed Abeche and are reported to be holding in the Am Dam area southwest of Abeche. There has been no major confrontation with the government, other than aerial bombing by the government on January 28th. The government has moved to fortify positions around N'Djamena as well as moving out a considerable number of troops eastward. Esso and the UN are operating normally and have not changed their security posture vis a vis dependents and non-essential personnel but continue to review their posture. The Embassy EAC met (reftel) to examine the Embassy security posture. A Town Hall for employees and family members reviewed emergency preparedness measures. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Chadian rebel cross-border incursion that started on Monday appears to have bypassed Abeche and moved to the Am Dam/Oum Hadjer area. UN sources counted more than 200 rebel vehicles in one column. As of January 30, rumors of movement as far as Mongo did not appear to be substantiated. The Chadian army is reported to have pulled out of the border town of Goz Beida, presumably in pursuit of the columns. In N'Djamena, tanks and armored cars have been stationed at roads leading into the capitol (note: this is routine procedure during threats of rebel movements. End note). The President is expected to attend the AU summit, but we do not have confirmation of his movements. As in previous episodes, it is expected that he will head to the front to personally command any upcoming battles. ¶3. (SBU) The UN, other international organizations and the Exxon-Mobil led oil consortium are currently operating normally but are reviewing their security posture. UN flights continue to Abeche, although movement out of Abeche by humanitarians has been temporarily stopped. Businesses and government offices in N'Djamena are operating normally, although the troop build-up and movement is evident in the number of convoys of armed Toyota trucks in the streets. The French Embassy has instructed French citizens in Abeche to stay within the city. ¶4. (SBU) Although the Government remains silent on the situation, on January 29, the Minister of Communication made a statement on Chad's government-controlled national radio network stressing that Chad cannot have peace while the Sudanese Government continues to send "mercenaries" across the border. This statement on Chad-Sudanese relations came on the heels of a precipitous President Deby departure from the January 28 Tripoli conference, where sources have claimed that Deby left after sharp criticism from President Kaddafi and others concerning the deployment of EUFOR on Chadian soil. ¶5. (SBU) Post has accounted for all personnel in the field. USAID/OFDA Kirsti Lattu is on standfast at the WFP guest house in Abeche. After first requesting the Defense Attache to withdraw the JCET training and MEDCAP exercise in Moussoro (north of N'Djamena) for security reasons, senior officials at the Minister of Health and Minister of Defense changed course and assured the Defense Attache that "there would be no rebel activity threatening Moussoro and that the JCET and accompanying MEDCAP should be permitted to continue." Embassy N'Djamena actions: -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Embassy N'Djamena continues to be concerned of reports of military movements in the east as the political -- and therefore the security -- situation in Chad remains tenuous. We have responded to the current uncertain security situation by: sending an additional warden message; holding a Town Hall meeting for Embassy employees and family members; convening a Emergency Action Committee; and coordinating closely with French, UN, NGOs and ESSO. NIGRO