Washington
01 February 2008
Chadian rebels and military sources report fierce fighting today less than 100 kilometers from the capital, N'djamena. Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Chad.
Paul-Simon Handy is an analyst with the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. He says the arrival of the EU troops may be important to the government.
鈥淎ctually,鈥?he said, 鈥渢he presence of the European force for President [Idriss] Deby鈥檚 regime鈥檚 stability is important, as long as the force is not entitled to enhance democratic government structures in Chad鈥? It is conceived as strictly humanitarian and not political, which in my opinion is a mistake, because鈥he humanitarian problems are a manifestation of deeper problems.鈥?He says those include growing autocratic rule in Chad. He says a deployment of an international force would likely work against the rebels and prevent them from attacking.
Handy does not believe a change in government would bring about greater democratization, since he says the top rebel leaders were part of President Deby鈥檚 administration at one time and one is even related to him. Handy says the rebels are backed by Khartoum, which helped install him17 years ago. He says the two governments became estranged over the crisis in the western region of Darfur, where many from President Deby鈥檚 own tribe have been massacred.
Handy comments on the potential geopolitical fall-out of a new government in Chad: 鈥淎 regime change engineered and backed by Sudan,鈥?he said, 鈥漺ould have enormous consequences. [It] would in my own opinion worsen the situation in Darfur.鈥?
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Chadian rebels and military sources report fierce fighting today less than 100 kilometers from the capital, N'djamena. Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Chad.
Paul-Simon Handy is an analyst with the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. He says the arrival of the EU troops may be important to the government.
鈥淎ctually,鈥?he said, 鈥渢he presence of the European force for President [Idriss] Deby鈥檚 regime鈥檚 stability is important, as long as the force is not entitled to enhance democratic government structures in Chad鈥? It is conceived as strictly humanitarian and not political, which in my opinion is a mistake, because鈥he humanitarian problems are a manifestation of deeper problems.鈥?He says those include growing autocratic rule in Chad. He says a deployment of an international force would likely work against the rebels and prevent them from attacking.
Handy does not believe a change in government would bring about greater democratization, since he says the top rebel leaders were part of President Deby鈥檚 administration at one time and one is even related to him. Handy says the rebels are backed by Khartoum, which helped install him17 years ago. He says the two governments became estranged over the crisis in the western region of Darfur, where many from President Deby鈥檚 own tribe have been massacred.
Handy comments on the potential geopolitical fall-out of a new government in Chad: 鈥淎 regime change engineered and backed by Sudan,鈥?he said, 鈥漺ould have enormous consequences. [It] would in my own opinion worsen the situation in Darfur.鈥?
Feedback
We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of this report and other news and features on our website. Email your views about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com.Please include your name and phone number if you would like us to include your comments on our programs.
Chadian rebels and military sources report fierce fighting today less than 100 kilometers from the capital, N'djamena. Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Chad.
Paul-Simon Handy is an analyst with the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. He says the arrival of the EU troops may be important to the government.
鈥淎ctually,鈥?he said, 鈥渢he presence of the European force for President [Idriss] Deby鈥檚 regime鈥檚 stability is important, as long as the force is not entitled to enhance democratic government structures in Chad鈥? It is conceived as strictly humanitarian and not political, which in my opinion is a mistake, because鈥he humanitarian problems are a manifestation of deeper problems.鈥?He says those include growing autocratic rule in Chad. He says a deployment of an international force would likely work against the rebels and prevent them from attacking.
Handy does not believe a change in government would bring about greater democratization, since he says the top rebel leaders were part of President Deby鈥檚 administration at one time and one is even related to him. Handy says the rebels are backed by Khartoum, which helped install him17 years ago. He says the two governments became estranged over the crisis in the western region of Darfur, where many from President Deby鈥檚 own tribe have been massacred.
Handy comments on the potential geopolitical fall-out of a new government in Chad: 鈥淎 regime change engineered and backed by Sudan,鈥?he said, 鈥漺ould have enormous consequences. [It] would in my own opinion worsen the situation in Darfur.鈥?
Feedback
We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of this report and other news and features on our website. Email your views about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com.Please include your name and phone number if you would like us to include your comments on our programs.
Chadian rebels and military sources report fierce fighting today less than 100 kilometers from the capital, N'djamena. Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Chad.
Paul-Simon Handy is an analyst with the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. He says the arrival of the EU troops may be important to the government.
鈥淎ctually,鈥?he said, 鈥渢he presence of the European force for President [Idriss] Deby鈥檚 regime鈥檚 stability is important, as long as the force is not entitled to enhance democratic government structures in Chad鈥? It is conceived as strictly humanitarian and not political, which in my opinion is a mistake, because鈥he humanitarian problems are a manifestation of deeper problems.鈥?He says those include growing autocratic rule in Chad. He says a deployment of an international force would likely work against the rebels and prevent them from attacking.
Handy does not believe a change in government would bring about greater democratization, since he says the top rebel leaders were part of President Deby鈥檚 administration at one time and one is even related to him. Handy says the rebels are backed by Khartoum, which helped install him17 years ago. He says the two governments became estranged over the crisis in the western region of Darfur, where many from President Deby鈥檚 own tribe have been massacred.
Handy comments on the potential geopolitical fall-out of a new government in Chad: 鈥淎 regime change engineered and backed by Sudan,鈥?he said, 鈥漺ould have enormous consequences. [It] would in my own opinion worsen the situation in Darfur.鈥?
We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of this report and other news and features on our website. Email your views about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com.Please include your name and phone number if you would like us to include your comments on our programs.
Feedback