Chad: Rebel coalition UFDD begins laying down arms in line with Qatar-brokered peace accord

At least 900 Chadian fighters of the rebel coalition known as Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) have returned home from Libya as part of 2022 Doha Peace Accord signed with the regime of the transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Déby.

General Mahamat Nouri Allatchi, founder of the coalition, welcomed Tuesday January 2 the fighters at Faya, in the province of Borkou. They reportedly crossed into Chad onboard 79 pickups.

They later headed to Moussoro where they are expected to lay down arms and take the Chadian army military train in view of their integration. Some of them will be enrolled in the public administration as part of the agreement. The 2022 accord took place following the death of the country’s autocratic leader Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021, killed amid combats with the rebels.

Allatchi’s deputy, Mahamat Assileck Halat who also attended the ceremony, has been appointed minister of Urbanization in the new government unveiled Tuesday by the new Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, Succes Masra.