For Koulsy Lamko, France is at the center of war in Chad. He argues that France's central presence in Chad is only facilitating the continued fleecing of resources by a corrupt Idriss Derby government. The rebel leader, he concludes is only vying for a slice of the national cake

It would take a very wise man to understand and untangle the mess that is France foreign policy towards Chad. Regular observers would not be surprised by the erratic nature of the relationship over the decades; but the latest event in Ndjamena clearly demonstrate the inconsistent nature of a cynicism.

France coming to the aid of Idriss Deby, her protégé is simply history repeating itself. Over the last two decades, France has propped up a corrupt clannish regime that has shown its inability to improve the lives of its citizens. This is a regime that has ruled through terror, electoral fraud, manipulation of the elite and the politicized classes, intimidation of civil society, widespread corruption, and the diversion of public funds to military expenditure, among other things. That France should continue to prevaricate and gloss over these problems while continuing to trample over the fresh corpses of innocent Chadians is indeed lamentable.

Over the last three decades France has carried out a policy of propping up warlords and pillagers. By giving unconditional support to these mediocre and illiterate soldiers and predators governed by clan interest, she has consolidated the notion that power is only achieved through the barrel of a gun, while at the same time destroying any future hope for true independence.

For Chadians interested in peace, Idriss Deby and rebel leaders Timran Erdimi and Mahamat Nouri are birds of a feather – Members of the same family fighting for a slice of the same cake: political power and control of petroleum, which remains the country's only source of revenue following the destruction of industry and the food-processing sector! Politicians lacking in nationalist vision or ideals, devoid of direction and upon whom countless political and economic indictments can be heaped!

The fact that one could cling to power to the point of barricading himself right in the midst of hapless citizens held hostage in the conflict, while his assailants only war cry is that they “ want a power-sharing deal” reveals the ignoble intentions of all involved.

While one side cosies up to Franco-Africa, the other side lets itself get sucked by Sudan into the Darfur crisis, plunging the people of Chad in even deeper misery. Chad 's long suffering is evident when one traverses its deserted towns and villages. The Zoe's Arch incident is proof of this; what parent, however poor and desperate, would agree to hand over his or her child to a stranger? Here, illiterate warlords extract tribute and rule over oppressed populations, exercising limitless power. The media is spectacular in its mediocrity, and the few independent press who dare to speak up suffer the wrath of Deby's autocratic rule.

The French army has for along time monitored troop movements across the country. This time, admittedly, they were caught unaware by the advancing rebels whom the French media had previously given ample coverage. The official statements that followed; “France is Neutral”, then “France is not entirely neutral”, and finally “France will support the legitimate government of Chad, and take on its responsibilities” clearly demonstrate the cold-blooded duplicity that has characterised its involvement with Chad over the years. As the rebels advanced, it seemed as if victory was theirs for the taking. And they were quick to point out very loudly that France's interests would be “safeguarded, if not better protected”. Then just as suddenly, a counter -offensive is executed and the rebels are defeated. One wonders what could have weighed so heavily in Deby's favour: negotiations on the exploitation of oil resources in the Middle Chari region? The die is cast!

The fact that hundreds of Chadians died, thousands were injured and tens of thousands displaced is of little concern to the French government and its Special forces. Strategic geographical concerns, control of oil and other mineral resources and the maintenance of a “civilizing influence” are stakes too enormous for “La Metropole” to concede. In Franco-Africa, there is no price to high to pay, even if it comes at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. The Rwanda genocide speaks volumes on this count.

If Sarkozy was cynical enough to demand the release of the Zoe's Arch six while Chad was mourning her dead, he should have demanded the release of opposition leaders whose only crime was to dream of a new political dispensation based on constitutionalism, in the midst of military occupation and neo-colonialism aggravated by rapacious clanism. What is France doing in Chad? One would be hard put to come up with an answer! Defence Minister Hervé Morin's pussyfooting and grinning in N'djamena speaks volumes.

It would indeed be tragic if the divvying up of resources between partners and relatives was the sole cause for a putsch. These complicit politicians are still in some way players in Chad's democratization process. It is imperative that France stops its meddling. It must allow for a national dialogue to take place, for recent events to be laid bare and for a truth and reconciliation process to begin, so that the people of Chad can freely choose their leaders.

Translated by Joshua Ogada.

* Koulsy Lamko is currently Director of the University Centre for Arts and Drama in Butare and teaches Creative Writing and the Performing Arts at the National University of Rwanda.

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