No mention of the "Comité national de redressement" (CNR) could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, regarding the "Haggar clan" and Colonel Bechir Ali Haggar, the editor of Le Temps, a Chadian independent weekly newspaper, provided the following information, during 14 and 15 February 2002 telephone interviews. These interviews were conducted in French.

The Haggar family is among the largest and most prominent families in Chad. An ancestor of the Haggar family was known as [translation] "the sultan of Kobe" and his descendants belong to the Kobe (Kobera) subclan of the Zaghawa ethnic group. Generally more educated and belonging to the influential Zaghawa ethnic group, many "Haggar clan" members hold key positions within Idriss Deby's regime.

However, because of power struggles that have recently emerged among Zaghawa politicians, many members of the Kobe subclan, including Colonel Bechir Ali Haggar, have lost their influence. The latter was removed from the Chadian national army in 1999. Colonel Bechir Ali Haggar is [translation] "said to live in Burkina Faso" and it is known in Chad that he belongs to the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT).

Information on whether male relatives of Colonel Bechir Ali Haggar and Bichara Idriss Haggar are currently targeted by the Chadian authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, according to the Chadian editor, while members of the "Haggar clan" who joined armed movements against Idriss Deby's regime may be currently at risk, those who didn't join would not be at risk. He provided the example of Ali Abdulhaman Haggar who is now a professor at the University of Djamena after he was removed from the position of Secretary General in the Chadian presidency office.

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

For information on internal power struggles among Zaghawa politicians, please see TCD38369.E of 25 February 2002.

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.

Le Temps [N'Djamena]. 14-15 February 2002. Telephone interviews with an editor.

Africa Confidential 2000 to present.

Africa Research Bulletin 2001.

IRB databases.

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent 2001-February 2002.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

Mondes rebelles. 2001.

West Africa 2000-2001.

Internet sites including:

The Africa Newswire Network - Chad.

ALWHIDA.

Amnesty International.

BBC News.

Chad Page

Féderation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH).

Human Rights Watch.

IRIN.

Minorities at Risk.

PNUD: Gouvernance et gestion des conflits au Chad.

Search engines including:

Google.

Lokace.

Lycos.

Metacrawler