The Front national du Tchad renové (FNTR) is an unregistered 'politico-military' dissident group, led by Maj. Adam Hamat (Europa 1999 1999, 896).

A member of the "Bureau politique" in charge of Co-operation and Foreign Affairs within one of the political opposition parties in Chad, the Conseil national de redressement du Tchad (CNR), stated during a 21 July 1999 telephone interview that the FNRTR was founded in 1996 by some dissident members excluded from the Front national du Tchad (FNT).

Citing a FNTR communiqué, a 8 June 1999 AFP article stated that the FNTR, which operates from Sudan, has killed, 13 government soldiers during fighting in eastern of the desert in the previous week. The FNTR also claimed responsibility for the March 1998 abduction of eight Europeans in Chad (AFP 23 Mar. 1998; Africa No 1 Radio 28 Mar. 1998; RFI 23 Mar. 1998). The Chadian group demands included "the withdrawal of French troops from the Chad and the end of activities by oil campanies in the country" (AFP 23 Mar. 1998).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 June 1999. "Chadian Rebel Group Claims Killing of 13 Soldiers." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 March 1998. "Chadian Security Forces Pursue Search for European Hostage." (NEXIS)

Africa No 1 [Libreville, in French]. 28 March 1998. "Remaining Foreign Hostage Released; Premier, Opposition official Comment." (BBC Summary 30 Mar. 1998/NEXIS)

Conseil national de redressement du Tchad (CNR). 21 July 1999. Telephone interview wit a member of the "bureau politique", responsible for Co-operation and Foreign Affairs.

The Europa World Year Book 1999. 1999. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Radio France International (RFI) [Paris, in French]. 23 March 1998. "Group Holding French National Demands Withdrawal of French Troops." (BBC Summary 25 Mar. 1998/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. 1995 -Mai 1999.

Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 1995- January 1999.

Amnesty International Online Website.

L'Autre Afrique [Paris]. June 1998- June 1999.

Country Reports 1998. 1999.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Website.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1995- June 1999.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1995-1999.

La lettre hebdomadaire de la FIDH [Paris]. 1998.

Mondes rebelles. 1996.

Political HandBook of the World. 1995-1998.

Resource Centre Country file. Chad. 1998 to present.

West Africa [London]. 1995- 1998.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet searches, LEXIS/NEXIS, World News Connection (WNC).