Civil war in Chad (1998–2002)

The Civil war in Chad (1998–2002) involved the MDJT, Movement for Justice and Democracy in Chad rebels that skirmished periodically with government troops in the Tibesti region, resulting in hundreds of civilian, government, and rebel casualties. Following an accord with the government in 2003, several hundred rebels rejoined the Chadian Army.

Chronology

Intense fighting in southern Chad between government forces and the rebel Armed Forces for a Federal Republic (FARF) began in early 1998 until a May peace accord. Other rebel groups continued lower intensity rebellions in the northeast. Fighting between government forces and the rebel Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) continued during 1999 in the northern region of Tibesti. There also were reports of rebel attacks against government forces stationed in the south despite a 1998 peace accord. At least 65 people and possibly hundreds more died in the fighting.

Clashes between government forces and rebels in the north intensified during 2000. Several hundred people were reportedly killed in the conflict in 2000, up from estimated conflict deaths in the previous year. However, fighting between government and rebel forces was greatly reduced in 2001, with only minor clashes reported and few deaths. By January 2002, the Chadian government had signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the rebel Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT). The conflict continued to decline after a peace agreement in January 2002 and a government offer of rebel amnesty in February. These were initially rejected by extremists within the main rebel group, MDJT, but in September, the leader of the hardliners was reportedly killed, raising hopes that opposition to negotiation would dwindle. Tensions continued to mount between Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) as the latter fought a domestic rebel group which was allegedly backed by the Chadian government.