SITREP 5: FIGHTING ONGOING IN NDJAMENA

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000070 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OPS, AF/C, DS, CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR CASC MOPS SU PINS ASEC CD SUBJECT: SITREP 5: FIGHTING ONGOING IN NDJAMENA REF: NDJAMENA 69 AND PREVIOUS -------------- GENERAL SITUATION -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Sounds of artillery fire and automatic weapons have been heard off-and-on beginning 0845 2 February in N'djemana. Fighting between elements of the Chadian military forces loyal to President Deby and rebel forces continue. The road in front of the presidential palace is closed. There is little/no traffic on the main roads. ¶2. (SBU) Conversely, the situation in the East is currently calm, though some areas are reporting an increase in banditry/lawlessness. In abeche, schools and banks stayed closed. In Guereda, 24 humanitarians were evacuated by road. Bihai is currently calm. In the past week, Koukou has seen an estimated 2,000 new arrivals from Sudan. French have confirmed to officials in Abeche that they will host the humanitarian community on the French base if there is an evacuation. There were no UNHAS flights from N'djamena to Abeche on 1 February. -------------- -------------- OTHER MISSION DRAWDOWNS: NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL DEPARTS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) At 0130 local on 2 February, French Ambassador told Ambassador that French are asking citizens to consolidate at the N'djamena French base. French said they stand ready to assist with evacuating Amcits on French military aircraft. 4 (SBU) At 0330 local core EAC determined that tripwires have been crossed and EAC recommended that all non-essential personnel evacuate. A warden message was distributed alerting AmCits to change in American security posture. At 07:50 local, the Department endorsed authorized departure for 19 non-emergency personnel. The American community here has remained calm; CONS has not received a single call from worried AmCits. At 0818 airplane departed N'djemana for Cameroon with ETA of 1118. AmEmbassy Yaounde waiting to assist. ¶5. (SBU) The Chinese Ambassador told Ambassador yesterday that many Chinese commercial workers (i.e. workers at CNPC - China National Petroleum Company) were being evacuated to Cameroon. Yet, several other missions, including the Chinese, are standing fast. -------------- MISSION POSTURE -------------- ¶6. (SBU) All other Embassy personnel remain in Embassy compound. EAC will reconvene at 1000 local time, 2 February. NIGRO