By Dr. Djimé Adoum, tchadnews.info,  sahelien@hotmail.com

Until Monday, February 18, 2007, nothing good comes out of Chad.  The country is experiencing severe heartburns resulting from the confiscation of power by President Deby.  In addition, the country, particularly the eastern part is also home to many refugees caught between the ill effects of proxy wars between Chad and Sudan.  It has been known for quite some time that the opposition in Chad, particularly the politico-military has been trying to unseat President Deby.  This, according to several sources, is the result of President Deby’s refusal to engage the opposition, political and military in a dialogue for peace.  Most attempts to find peaceful solution to the constitutional crisis have not bore fruit.  Chadians from all walks of life are anxious to put an end to a never ending cycle of violence that has been besieging the country since independence. 

The political opposition (civil society, political parties, politico-military and the diaspora) met in Paris (October 28-29) in a conference in search for new ways to engage President Deby in a dialogue for peace.  Several efforts were undertaken in that respect and the quest for peace never stopped.  Some of these efforts are starting to bear fruit.  According to several sources, a letter was written to President Wade to solicit his involvement in the process.  President Wade of Senegal accepted to mediate on condition that there should be a genuine attempt on the part of the Chadians.   According to the same sources, he corresponded with Mr. Favitsou Boulandi, the president of the Conference, signaling his availability to help in search for that elusive peace. 

At the exception of President Deby, civil society and heavy weights of the Chadian political and politico-military landscape have all expressed a genuine need to engage in a dialogue  should lead to a national forum.  This forum would serve as a platform on which a consensus will be built and likely to bring Chad back from the brink of disintegration. 

The long awaited response finally came on Monday, February 18, 2007.  Mr. Ahmat Yacoub, an advisor to the politico-military group (RND) and the Coalition for the Defense of Constitutional and Constitutional Rights (CDDC) met with President Deby during his visit to France.  According to Mr. Yacoub's statement on Alwihda website, he and President Deby discussed at length the need to renew the dialogue to find a way out of the mess in which Chad finds itself.  The one-hour meeting built on efforts undertaken by President Wade.  President Deby reiterated his willingness to participate in such a debate. 

Accordingly Mr. Boulandi who is serving as the initiator of the efforts with President Wade wrote a communiqué exhorting the different actors of the Chadian political landscape to do all they can to craft and submit their various proposals prior to the national forum. 

It is too early to think about a breakthrough.  Much remains to be done.  The international community, particularly the European Union, France, the US, and the African Union need to seize this opportunity to make this initiative become reality.  Many efforts have been undertaken in the past but aborted without any significant implementation of conference outcomes.  It is hoped that this time, profound measures will be taken to help Chadians craft a more sustainable framework likely to establish a viable state with strong institutions and peaceful transition.  Time is of the essence and these initiatives require serious efforts from friends of Chad before they become reality.  We hope the international community steps up to the plate.