"The Chad situation is somewhat complex, and is also a ‘déjà vu’. The rebels are trying to frighten France and Europe by asking them not to send troops, because in their opinion, they would be pro-government. There is already a French contingent in Chad. The foreign presence might really complicate the situation". It is the opinion of Silvio Tessari, in charge of the Middle East and North Africa sector of Italian Caritas, who has operated in Chad for twelve years. After skirmishes at the beginning of February, which caused at least 165 dead and 1,000 wounded in N’Djamena, as well as tenths of thousands refugees, now the rebels retired from the capital and are currently located in Am Timan, in the Centre and the South of Chad. Today, the rebels asked European countries not to send soldiers for peace-keeping. "Once every few years there has been a rebellion in the last twenty years said Tessari to SIR – . The first time, in 1978-1979, the crisis situation went on for years. France upholds the government as long as the rebellion becomes so big that it is no longer the case of sustaining it. The current crisis is not one of the worst, because it focuses on N’Djamena. Chad is so important for oil (in the South of the country), but above all, it is important for its central position. It is a strategic cornerstone, above all, for France". (To be continued)
