The following information was provided by the chairman of the Armed Resistance Against Anti-Democratic Forces (RAFAD) during a 26 October 1999 telephone interview.

The RAFAD is a political-military group formed in Nigeria in August 1997. Its main objectives include the implementation of a national reconciliation process between Chadian citizens and different ethnic groups and the restoration of democracy and sustainable peace in the country. In order to achieve those objectives, the RAFAD opted for military action to overthrow the "dictatorial" régime of Idriss Déby. Through its members outside Chad, RAFAD tries to convince the international community of the well-founded reason for its military action.

While many of its leaders are in exile, especially in Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and France, a lot of RAFAD members, supporters and combatants live clandestinely inside the country. For security reason, the Chairman of RAFAD declines to reveal either regions or ethnic groups, from which RAFAD members and supporters originate.

The RAFAD chairman stated that the Chadian authorities arrest any person suspected of being a member or supporter of the group. However, as members do not have any distinctive sign, they are often arrested on the grounds of their family relationship with RAFAD leaders who live outside country. In the past, also often arrested, were former members of the Convention nationale pour la démocratie sociale (CNDS), as they were seen by the Chadian government as "potential" supporters or members of the RAFAD.

The RAFAD does not deliver membership cards; for identification, members can obtain from the chairman or the Secretary General, an "attestation". The latter document is only signed by the chairman, Adou Moussa Seif or by the Secretary General, Annaby Moussa N'djole, now in Benin.

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

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.

The Armed Resistance Against Anti-Democratic Forces (RAFAD), New Port, USA. 26 October 1999. Telephone interview with the chairman.

Africa Confidential [London]. August 1997-September 1999.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. August 1997-January 1998.

Amnesty International Reports. 1998-1999.

L'autre Afrique [Paris]. August 1997-October 1999.

Country Reports. 1998-1999.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. August 1997-October 1999.

La Lettre hebdomadaire de la FIDH [Paris]. August-August 1999.

Mondes rebelles. 1999.

NewAfrican [London]. August 1997-September 1999.

Le nouvel Afrique-Asie [Paris]. August 1997-September 1999.

West Africa [London]. August 1997-1999.

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

Oral sources: The Foundation for Respect of Law and Liberty (FORELLI) and the Association pour la promotion des libertés au Tchad (APLFT) Chadian human rights organizations.