Cablegate: Chad: Prime Minister Announced Rebel

VZCZCXRO0066
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHNJ #0128 0921302
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011302Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6129
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1485
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 1665
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0114

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000128

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
TUNIS FOR AMBASSADOR NIGRO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CD SU
SUBJECT: CHAD: PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED REBEL
INCURSION

1. (U) On April 1, Chadian Prime Minister Kassire
convoked the diplomatic corps at his office to
announce that at 6:40 a.m. Chad time a group of armed
rebels had attacked Ade, 68 kilometers from the
Chad/Sudan border. Prime Minister Kassire stated that
this attack was proof that Sudanese President Bechir
"had not changed." Despite the Dakar accord he
continued to be the aggressor. His aim was nothing
less than the annihilation of Chad. Prime Minister
Kassire asked for a "mobilization of conscience" among
the international community.

2. (SBU) Post was informed by UN security services
(UNDSS) earlier today of heavy fighting near Ade.
Although the World Food Program (WFP) security officer
reported that Abeche was calm, it appears that a large
number of Chadian National Army (ANT) troops departed
Abeche for Goz Beida late on March 31.

3. (SBU) Other government sources have confirmed this
attack and believe that the rebel forces intend to
continue South West towards Am Timan (Salamat region).
Some Chadian sources believe that the rebels may hold
in Am Timan in order to resupply and await further
instructions before attacking N'Djamena.

4. (U) Post held an EAC (septel) to discuss the
security situation and review tripwires.

5. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.

TAMLYN

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