Information on factions within the Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD), including the faction led by Moussa Medella and the factions that supported the peace negotiations and signed the peace accord and those that did not [TCD26573.E]

According to some reports, five factions claim to represent the Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD) (AFP 3 Jan. 1996; Balencie and de La Grange, . 221). The Western Armed Forces (Forces armées Occidentales-FAO) and National Armed Forces of Chad (Forces armées nationales du Tchad-FANT) constitute the main MDD factions (Balencie and de La Grange, 221-23). The attached excerpts from Balencie and de La Grange and Political Handbook of the World: 1995-1996 provide a brief history of the MDD.

According to some reports, the MDD faction led by Moussa Medella has been active in the region of Lake Chad (AFP 18 Oct. 1996; ibid. 6 Jan. 1996; RFI 15 Mar. 1995). The Moussa Medella faction was involved in the March 1995 kidnapping of Anthony Johnson, a US citizen (Reuters 23 Mar. 1995; RFI 25 Mar. 1995).

Various reports state that while 15 armed opposition groups present at the 9 January 1996 round table talks on the political future of Chad in Franceville, Gabon, rejected the general declaration, Moussa Medella's MDD faction and another group called Action for Unit and Development (AFUD) signed it (AFP 10 Jan. 1996; Africa News 19 Jan. 1996; RFI 11 Mar. 1996). According to Africa Research Bulletin, the government of Chad and a "political military movement, the dissident 'group of patriots' of the MDD," signed a peace accord in Zinder, Niger, on 30 September 1996 (28 Nov. 1996, 12440).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Africa News [Durham, NC]. 19 January 1996. "Chad Peace Talks Collapse." (NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 28 November 1996. Vol. 33, No 10. "Chad: New Peace Accord."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 10 January 1996. "Chadian Talks Collapse in Dissent over Framework Document." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 January 1996. "Round Table Talks Still Blocked." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 January 1996. "Chadian Factions to Seek End to 30-Year Civil War." (NEXIS)

Balencie, J. M. and A. de La Grange.1996. Vol. 1. Mondes rebelles: Acteurs, conflits et violences politiques. Paris: Éditions Michalon.

Political Handbook of the World:1996-1996. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Radio France Internationale (RFI) [Paris, in French]. 16 October 1996. "President Idriss Deby Interviewed on Human Rights, Contacts with Rebels." (BBC Summary 18 Oct. 1996/NEXIS)

_____. 10 March 1996. "Chad; Government and 13 Opposition Parties Sign Agreements in Gabon." (BBC Summary 11 Mar. 1996/NEXIS)

_____. 25 March 1995. "Chad; Leader of Opposition MDD Says Abducted American's Release Is Imminent." (BBC Summary 27 Mar. 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 15 March 1995. "Niger; French Radio Reports on Background to Clashes in East." (BBC Summary 18 Mar. 1995/NEXIS)

Reuters. 23 March 1995. BC Cycle. "U.S. Demands Immediate Release of Diabetic in Chad." (NEXIS)

Attachments


Africa News [Durham, NC]. 19 January 1996. "Chad Peace Talks Collapse." (NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 28 November 1996. Vol. 33, No 10. "Chad: New Peace Accord," p. 12440

Agence France Presse (AFP). 10 January 1996. "Chadian Talks Collapse in Dissent over Framework Document." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 January 1996. "Round Table Talks Still Blocked." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 January 1996. "Chadian Factions to Seek End to 30-Year Civil War/" (NEXIS)

Balencie, J. M. and A. de La Grange. 1996. Vol. 1. Mondes rebelles: Acteurs, conflits et violences politiques. Paris: Éditions Michalon, p. 221-223.

Political Handbook of the World:1995-1996. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications, p. 177-78

Radio France Internationale (RFI) [Paris, in French]. 16 October 1996. "President Idriss Deby Interviewed on Human Rights, Contacts with Rebels." (BBC Summary 18 Oct. 1996/NEXIS)

_____. 10 March 1996. "Chad; Government and 13 Opposition Parties Sign Agreements in Gabon." (BBC Summary 11 Mar. 1996/NEXIS)

_____. 25 March 1995. "Chad; Leader of Opposition MDD Says Abducted American's Release Is Imminent." (BBC Summary 27 Mar. 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 15 March 1995. "Niger; French Radio Reports on Background to Clashes in East." (BBC Summary 18 Mar. 1995/NEXIS)

Reuters. 23 March 1995. BC Cycle. "U.S. Demands Immediate Release of Diabetic in Chad." (NEXIS)