A rebel leader from southern Chad has laid down his weapons, saying the country “no longer needs rebel activity”. Chadian radio said Jean Ngarandoh told a news conference on Thursday in the capital, Ndjamena, he had heard President Idriss Deby’s plea for peace.
“I had to accept to return and contribute to peace along with all Chadians,” he said. Ngarandoh, the former leader of the Justice and Equality commandos active in the southern region of Logone, urged another rebel leader - former defence minister Youssouf Togoimi - to follow his example.
Togoimi’s Movement for Democracy and Justice is active in the Tibesti region. “Let us wash our dirty linen within the family,” Ngarandoh said. “I am appealing for peace by calling especially on the youth, who need to recognise the fact that our country is underdeveloped.”
He denied that he would take up arms again at a later date.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
Share this article