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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 FEST TWO 000006 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  2/18/2018 
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV PHUM SU CD
SUBJECT: N'DJAMENA 002: FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND PRESIDENT DEBY WARN 
THAT SUDAN IS REARMING REBELS 
 
FEST TWO 00000006  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: LucyTamlyn, Deputy Chief of Mission  , U.S. 
Embassy N'Djamena , State Department . 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y FOR SIGNATURE (NIGRO VICE THOMPSON) 
 
 
¶1. (S) Summary.  The French here believe that they have credible 
evidence of direct Sudanese involvement in the most recent 
Chadian rebel attack on N'Djamena.  Rebel forces are still in 
eastern  Chad, and reportedly are being rearmed and resupplied 
by Sudan.  The Ambassador presented his credentials to President 
Deby on February 16 and was informed by the President that he 
expects a "third attack."  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Ambassador met with French Ambassador Bruno 
Foucher on February 15 to thank him for French assistance in the 
evacuation of American citizens and American Embassy employees 
during the fighting in N'Djamena, praising the high level of 
professionalism and efficacy of the French soldiers.  Ambassador 
Foucher noted that he and his staff had themselves endured some 
difficult hours (including some horizontal stints on the floor 
of the Embassy) when the Chadian Army (ANT) and rebel forces 
clashed in the vicinity of the French Embassy.  Foucher felt 
that the French Embassy had been in no way targeted, but simply 
lay along the axis of rebel approach (as did the American 
Embassy). 
 
¶3.  (S)  Ambassador Foucher informed the Ambassador that they 
had credible evidence of direct Sudanese involvement in the 
attack and provided a transcript of a phone conversation 
(obtained by sigint) between Sudanese Intelligence Head Saleh 
Gosh and UFDD rebel leader Mahamat Nouri.   According to 
Foucher, the Sudanese seek to overthrow President Deby in order 
to block EUFOR deployment and to end the "Zaghawa axis" of 
action between Chad and Sudan.  Foucher noted that President 
Deby had, in fact, been trying to avoid being in debt to the 
Sudanese Zaghawa rebels.  Ironically, Sudan's proxy attack had 
obliged him to call on them for assistance, thereby further 
strengthening that bond. 
 
4.(C) Ambassador Foucher himself had no doubts of Sudanese 
complicity.  He acknowledged that the rebels were Chadian, but 
noted that among the rebel forces), (d) 
 captured the Chadians had found sixty Sudanese army uniforms 
and other evidence of Sudanese involvement.  Right now the 
rebels were in fact still in Chadian territory, being rearmed 
and resupplied by Sudan.  The UFDD was not far from Ade, and the 
RFC was near Kou Kou.  Foucher noted that there appeared to be 
dissention between the rebel groups, but cautioned that the war 
was not over.  The Chadians had bombed the rebel positions and 
also intended a land attack using JEM forces.  Foucher reported 
that President Deby had told him that the northern section of 
N'Djamena was not under Government of Chad control -- the 
neighborhood had been infiltrated by rebels who were walking 
about in mufti. 
 
¶5. (C) Ambassador Foucher noted that the absence of JEM forces 
in Sudan (presumably having moved over to Chad to assist the 
President) had left a void.  The Government of Sudan had taken 
advantage of this to resume attacks within Sudan.  As a result, 
new refugees were streaming into Chad.  Ten thousand had already 
crossed, and the number could go as high as 40,000 according to 
UNHCR.  Foucher reported that UNHCR had also told him that the 
Government was not eager to host the new refugees.  (Note: UNHCR 
Head Serge Male reported the same to the Ambassador on September 
¶14.  End note) 
 
¶6. (C)  Ambassador Foucher explained that France was also 
concerned by the fate of the missing opposition leaders.  He had 
requested and received permission from President Deby to visit 
former President Lol Choa the previous night in a military 
prison.  According to Foucher, the government claimed that Choa 
had been picked up in a general sweep that took place near the 
villa of UFDD leader Mahamat Nouri.  Choa had not been 
recognized and had spent some time in a common prison.  He was 
 
FEST TWO 00000006  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
now in a better location, although still held.  The fate of 
opposition leaders Ibni Oumar and Ngarlejy Yorongar was not 
known.  According to Ambassador Foucher, they could possibly be 
out of the country or in hiding.  He noted that other opposition 
coalition (CPDC) members - former Prime Minister Jean Alingue 
and opposition leader Salibou Garba - had in fact held a meeting 
the day before; he did not believe that there was a systematic 
hunting-down of opposition leaders or suppression of opposition 
activities.  Acknowledging that the Government's excuse of not 
recognizing former President Choa sounded fishy, Ambassador 
Foucher noted that he had heard the same explanation from three 
different sources, and therefore it appeared to have some 
credibility. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Foucher also informed the Ambassador that 
prominent human rights activists Delphine Djiraibe Kemneloum and 
Jacqueline Modeina had been given refuge at the French base. 
The French informed the President that they intended to take 
them out of the country.  President Deby assented, and Kemneloum 
and Modeina were given French visas and transported to 
Libreville by French forces. As for the whereabouts of former 
Minister of Defense Mahamat Nour, last reported to be in the 
Libyan Embassy, Ambassador Foucher speculated that he had 
probably taken advantage of a Libyan flight evacuating Libyan 
diplomats to leave town (but this was not confirmed). 
 
AMBASSADOR NIGRO PRESENTS CREDENTIALS 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
---------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  On Saturday, February 16, Ambassador Nigro was called 
to the Presidential Palace to present his credentials to 
President Deby (the Belgian Ambassador, resident in Libya, also 
presented his credentials the same day).  Following the 
ceremony, President Deby (looking alert, but with a hoarse 
voice) expressed his satisfaction at the continued 
representation in Chad by "a great country."  He welcomed the 
cooperation extended by the United States in diverse areas, but 
said that more could be done, particularly given the war against 
terror, our economic ties and in the face of certain enemies. 
We aren't disappointed, he explained, but reiterated that Chad 
deserved more.  President Deby assured the Ambassador support 
for his mission in Chad, and noted that, although there might be 
problems and a lack of understanding from time to time, the 
dialogue between the two countries was "calm and balanced." 
Turning to the events of last week he stated that Sudan was 
re-arming the rebels and a third attack was expected on 
N'djamena.  He thanked the United States for having condemned 
efforts to take power by force of arms and noted that the 
Security Council had also supported Chad.   Foreign Minister 
Allam-mi would be traveling to New York and Washington in the 
coming days to argue Chad's case before the UN and with 
Washington authorities.  The President commented that Chad was 
in a State of Emergency for fifteen days.  There had been great 
damage, the institutions of government had ceased to function, 
and time was needed to get these back up and running.  He 
assured the Ambassador that this would be done with respect for 
the Constitution, and for human rights. 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  Ambassador Nigro thanked the President for the 
cooperation which Chad had extended.  He reassured the President 
that the U.S. diplomatic presence in Chad had not been 
interrupted at any time during the hostilities.  Some staff were 
in Cameroon, but the Embassy was functioning.  He explained that 
his mission in Chad represented continuation of U.S. cooperation 
and friendship between the Chadian and American people, and 
support for Chad's political, economic and social development. 
He explained that he would look for ways to continue 
cooperation, and noted that Ambassador Bechir had requested the 
visit of a high ranking U.S. Government official for 
consultations.  This visit was being organized and further 
information would be made available. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Government-run TV and radio reported on the 
presentation of credentials in news spots throughout the day. 
The main point highlighted was the Ambassador's statement to the 
press following presentation in which he stated that the United 
States was closely following the situation in Chad. 
 
FEST TWO 00000006  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
 
COMMENT 
--------------- 
 
¶11. (C) The notion that former President Choa could be picked up 
by mistake and not recognized is not credible, but provides a 
useful alibi for the Government in the face of widespread 
national and international concern at the detention of one of 
Chad's most prominent political leaders and the questions 
concerning the whereabouts of others. 
NIGRO