CHAD'S PRESIDENT CONTINUES ANTI-SUDAN STANCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000177 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C, SE GRATION AND AF/USSES NSC FOR GAVIN AND HUDSON LONDON FOR POL -- LORD PARIS FOR POL -- D'ELIA AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF MOPS SU LY CD SUBJECT: CHAD'S PRESIDENT CONTINUES ANTI-SUDAN STANCE DURING RALLY REF: NDJAMENA 175 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno held a rally May 13 in N'Djamena to protest against "Sudanese aggression," given the May 4-7 incursion by Chadian rebels from Sudan. Five times during the President's 15-minute speech, he focused specifically on Sudanese President Omar El Bashir, saying that the GOS leader's regime was continuing efforts to destabilize Chad, that it was still supporting Chadian rebels, and that it was ignoring the many accords signed between Chad and Sudan. Deby said that he was still reviewing ties with Sudan but that Chad would no longer participate in mediation efforts in which Sudan was a part. Deby expressed his disappointment with the international community, and specifically with the African Union and other regional organizations, saying that he wanted the UN and not the AU to resolve the Darfur crisis. GOS military operations to mop up rebels continue in the east, including a brief cross-over into Sudan. Rebel atrocities against Chadian military and civilians are coming to light. END SUMMARY. -------------- RALLY AGAINST SUDAN -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno held a rally May 13 in N'Djamena to protest against "Sudanese aggression," given the May 4-7 incursion by Chadian rebels from Sudan. Estimates put the well-mannered crowd -- a mix of civilian and military personnel -- at over 5,000. Various unions and groups paraded into Independence Place, across from the Presidential Palace, bearing anti-Sudan and anti-Bashir signs as well as pro-Deby signs. Pro-government party members were present; the coalition of opposition parties did not attend, despite the President's direct invitation on May 9. A similar rally took place simultaneously in the eastern town of Abeche. ¶3. (SBU) Deby headlined the 45-minute event. Five times during his 15-minute speech, he focused specifically on Sudanese President Omar El Bashir, saying that the GOS leader's regime was continuing efforts to destabilize Chad, that it was still supporting Chadian rebels, and that it was ignoring the many accords signed between Chad and Sudan. Deby again proclaimed that Chad was reviewing its relations with Sudan and mulling severing diplomatic ties. He said that Chad would no longer take part in mediation efforts with Sudan, such as the Dakar Contact Group or the Doha Accord, and promised that Chad would collaborate fully with the International Criminal Court regarding the case against Bashir. ¶4. (SBU) Deby expressed his disappointment with the international community, and specifically with the African Union and other regional organizations. He said those organizations were incapable of resolving the crisis in Darfur. He added that Chad wanted the UN, and not the AU, to resolve Sudan's crisis. Deby thanked Chad's "friends" for their support of Chad and condemnation of Sudan, singling out the UN Security Council, France, the United States, and Senegal. ¶5. (SBU) The President also reached out to Chadian rebel groups, saying that both the government and he personally welcomed those who wished to return to their mother country. -------------- ON-GOING MILITARY OPS -------------- ¶6. (SBU) GOC continues operations in the east to mop up fleeing rebels. The French confirmed that a Chadian National Army (ANT) column crossed into Sudan May 13 in the vicinity NDJAMENA 00000177 002 OF 002 of the Chadian town Koukou Angarana and the Sudanese town of Babil in pursuit of Chad rebels. The column went about 20 kms into Sudan and made some contact with rebels, but there was no fighting. The rebels fled deeper into Sudan, and the ANT column returned back into Chad early May 14. This incident, at least, is finished. -------------- DEVELOPING PICTURE OF REBEL ATROCITIES -------------- ¶7. (SBU) French doctors told us that they had treated ANT troops injured in the fighting and that one of the ANT troops had had his eyes gouged out. Other reports say that rebels killed anyone on any means of transport -- car, bicycle, motorcycle, horse, etc. -- during their advance into Chad to prevent witnesses from raising alarms. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Deby continues to stir up anti-Sudanese sentiment and denounce lack of action on the part of regional players in response to last week's rebel incursion. Given Deby's and Chad's close relationship with and dependence on neighbors, most of the President's comments are rhetorical and perhaps designed to try to burnish Chad's image in the eyes of the international community and set the stage for envoys he intends to dispatch to other African capitals for a more heart-felt retelling of this chapter in Chad's recent history. END COMMENT. ¶10. (U) Minimize considered. NIGRO