Crisis Chronology

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CHAD

12/26/2023

According to the National Commission Charged with the Organisation of the Constitutional Referendum (CONOREC), 86 percent of voters approved the constitution with a turnout of 64%. While the government made some changes for local representation, overall there is a sense that Deby’s transitional government is working to stay in power.

12/17/2023

Voting on a new constitution. Its approval is seen as a crucial step toward voting in new elections. Succès Masra, president of The Transformers opposition party is advocating for a "yes" vote, claiming that removing the unitary system would allow for progressive democracy and spur economic development. But those in favor of retaining the old system – including supporters of the transitional government – say a federalist system will lead to disunity. There is a sense that it will be approved.

03/23/2023

Government nationalizes assets of the subsidiary of Exxon Mobil.

01/06/2023

Government says it foiled a “destabilization plot” by army officers and human rights activist Baradine Berdei Targuio, president of the Chadian Organisation of Human Rights, in 12/22.

10/20/2022

Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo says that about fifty people were killed in protests, which he describes as an armed insurrection, against the government in N’Djamena.

10/12/2022

Saleh Kebzabo, a former opponent of Idris Deby and president of the National Union for Democracy and Renewal (UNDR), is named prime minister by Mahamat Deby.

10/03/2022

Ahmat Barchire, Rapporteur of the National Sovereign Inclusive Dialogue (DNIS) extends the timeline for a return to democratic elections. It also allows Mahamat Deby to remain head of state in the interim and to run for president. This national reconciliation dialogue forum has been boycotted by most opposition members, two out of three key armed rebel groups, and civil society organizations.

09/19/2022

Interim Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamat Zene Cherif resigns, citing obstruction by the military junta in his efforts in support of talks with opposition and rebel groups.

09/06/2022

Heaviest rains in thirty years force evacuations in N’Djamena. More than 400,000 have been affected by the rains and flooding.

08/18/2022

Timane Erdimi, leader of the rebel group Rally for Forces of Change, returns from a seventeen-year exile in Qatar to participate in the peace negotiations with the government.

08/08/2022

Government and more than thirty rebel groups sign a peace agreement. However, the main rebel group, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, rejects the agreement, saying their demands were not met.

06/03/2022

Government declares a state of emergency over food insecurity.

12/08/2021

More than 30,000 people flee from Cameroon to Chad amid fighting between herders, farmers, and fishermen over water rights.

11/30/2021

Government offers amnesty to some rebels and dissidents, a key demand of the opposition in negotiations with representatives of Mahamat Idriss Deby’s government.

08/30/2021

Chad and Sudan agree to strengthen cross-border security.

05/03/2021

New government named

Transitional Military Council announces a government. Opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo, the main opponent of Marshal Déby, recognizes the new authorities on 5/2/21 and two members of his party, the National Union for Democracy and Renewal (UNDR), were appointed ministers in it. Another opponent, Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo of the Party for Liberties and Development (PLD) was appointed Minister of Justice.

04/27/2021

At least two people were killed and 27 wounded in street clashes in Chad on Tuesday between protesters demanding a return to civilian rule and security forces, prompting key ally France to condemn the crackdown.

04/20/2021

Deby is killed

President Idris Deby is killed fighting rebels. A military council announces that Chad will be ruled by a transitional council headed by Mahamat Kaka, otherwise known as Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the president’s son, for 18 months. Mahamat Deby, who was groomed by his father to take over the government, will issue a transitional charter that will replace the constitution. New institutions will be put in place to facilitate new, democratic, and transparent elections. Under the constitutional, the speaker of the legislature should have become president. Observers call it a coup that emphasizes continuity.

04/20/2021

Rebel Front for Change and Concord says its forces will take N’Djaména.

04/06/2021

Dr Succès Masra, leader of the Transformateurs party, denounces 4/11 election and advocates for a boycott of the vote. Many others have already quit the race.

03/23/2020

Boko Haram launches its deadliest attack in Chad, killing 92 military.

01/28/2020

Czech Republic deploys troops to the Sahel, as approved by Mali, Chad, Mali, and Niger.

01/05/2020

Chad ends military mission against Boko Haram in Lake Chad area. Nigerians in the area fear a return of militant activity.

10/04/2019

Chad legislature elections postponed to early 2020.

09/14/2019

ECOWAS countries pledge $1 billion to fight jihadi violence in the Sahel.

09/14/2019

ECOWAS holds an Extraordinary Meeting to consider response to the terrorist attacks in the Sahel region.

08/18/2019

Government declares state of emergency in two eastern provinces after fighting between herders and farmers kills at least fifty in the last month. The military will be deployed. The cattle herders include many of the Zaghawa ethnic group, of which Deby is a member. Drought and population growth have exacerbated the enmity.

05/20/2019

Moise Katumbi returns.

05/01/2019

Parliament approves recommended changes to the constitution.

03/28/2019

Appeals court denies application to lift the social media ban in place since 3/18.

01/15/2019

Chad and the Central African Republic threaten to end traffic with Cameroon port of Doula because of rampant corruption.

11/27/2018

Israel says it will establish diplomatic relations with Chad.

09/12/2018

Case filed against two major service providers in an effort to lift social media ban. The service providers say the government has ordered the shutdown.

03/28/2018

Internet activists report that the two main social media platforms have been blocked.

03/28/2018

A national conference of political, business, and traditional chiefs recommends changes to the constitution, including the elimination of the prime ministership, strengthening the presidency and the re-imposition of term limits scrapped in a 2005 referendum. The conference recommends changing the presidential term to six years, beginning with the 2021 election, which would allow Deby, who is 69 years old, to remain in office until 2033.

02/21/2018

Qatar and Chad restore diplomatic relations.

12/31/2017

Pres Deby announces general elections will be held in 2018, three years late.

12/27/2017

Attempted coup thwarted. Instigation is variously placed on mercenaries from Chad, Sudan, Cameroon and/or the Central African Republic, organized by Guinean opposition groups.

07/02/2017

France, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger form an anti-jihadist military alliance called the G5.