More Chadian officers desert to rebels

April 17, 2006 (N’DJAMENA) — Several officers in the Chadian army have deserted to the rebel United Front for Change (FUC) in recent days, sources on both sides said Monday.

“At least 10 high-ranking officers have joined us since Thursday ” when FUC forces attacked the capital N’Djamena, FUC spokesman Albissaty Saleh Allazam said.

“These are people with whom we have been in contact for a certain time and joined us at the battle of N’Djamena.”

Chadian military sources confirmed the latest wave of desertions. Several senior officers, often formerly close to President Idriss Deby Itno, have quit the national army (ANT) in recent months to join various rebel groups.

Several more officers had deserted after the attack on N’Djamena, a source said.

“We think these soldiers were already in contact with the rebels, that they helped them reach the capital and that after the failure of the attack they joined the rebels for fear of arrest.”

Chad accuses Sudan of backing the FUC, which launched an attack on several places on April 9 and on N’Djamena last Thursday before being driven off from the capital.

(ST/AFP)