IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author): “Information on the circumstances surrounding the death of Abbas Kotti (Koty) and whether there were other deaths or arrests [TCD16710.E]”, Document #1225641

Information on the circumstances surrounding the death of Abbas Kotti (Koty) and whether there were other deaths or arrests [TCD16710.E]

Several reports indicate that Abbas Koty was killed in N'djamena, the capital city of Tchad, in October 1993 while resisting arrest by security foces (AFP 24 Oct. 1993; The Associated Press 24 Oct. 1993; BBC Summary 25 Oct. 1993; Xinhua 23 Oct. 1993). Koty was reportedly a close ally of President Idriss Deby and was a former minister of defence, public works and transport (Xinhua 22 Oct. 1993). He left the country after masterminding a failed coup attempt and was living in exile in Algeria before returning to Tchad in August 1993, having signed a peace agreement brokered by Libya and Sudan with envoys of President Dey in Tripoli (ibid.; AFP 24 Oct. 1993; Keesing's Aug. 1993). On 16 October 1993, Abbas Koty reportedly signed a reconciliation agreement with the government according to which his movement, the National Committee for Recovery (CNR), would become a political party and the CNR fighters would be integrated into the national army (Africa Research Bulletin 1-31 Oct. 1993, 11194). The official explanation of his death was that Koty was planning to overthrow the government in a coup attempt. However, members of his party denied the allegations, charging that he was deliberately lynched because of his popularity which had made him "a dangerous political adversary for Deby" (AFP 24 Oct. 1993). For additional information on this topic, please refer to the attached documents.

Information on whether there were other people who were killed or arrested along with Abbas Koty is currently unavailable to the DIRB.

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

Agence France Presse (AFP). 24 October 1994. "Chad Accused of Executing Opposition Chief." (NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. 1-31 October 1993. Vol. 30, No. 10. "Chad: 'Cynical Trap' Kills Ex-Dissident, p. 11194."

The Associated Press. 24 October 1993. "Group Denies Coup Plot, Says Leader Was Executed." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 25 October 1993. "Rebel Leader Abbas Koty Killed in Alleged Coup Attempt; Curfew Imposed." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 24 October 1993. Vol. 39, No. 10. "Chad: Killing of CNRT Leader, p. 39674."

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 22 October 1993. "Chadian Rebel Leader Killed in Coup Attempt." (NEXIS)