Chad Declares Victory Over Rebels

Chad’s military junta has claimed victory after a month-long battle against rebels in the northwest of the country. Over 150 rebel prisoners were paraded in the capital N’Djamena with army chief Gen. Abakar Daoud telling journalists that “The triumphant return of the army to the barracks heralds the end of operations and Chad’s victory”. But the rebel group Front for Change and Concord in Chad said it was not aware of an end to the fighting. Meanwhile, opposition leaders and civil society are trying to mount a challenge to the army takeover last month following the mysterious death of President Idriss Deby. His son Mahamat is the new man in charge and obviously has the army’s backing.