Independence Day for Chad

Today marks the anniversary of Independence for Chad. Human settlement in Chad existed in 7000BC and to this day it's areas are rich for archeological digging. Europeanisation came to Chad through violent French colonisation in 1900. By 1920 the French had full control of the area as part of French Equatorial Africa which included parts of Cameroon and the Congo as well as Gabon.

Unlike these other areas Chad was characterised by its lack of modernisation and unification due to no coherent policy framework. Its ascent after the Second World War was largely due to its involvement via troops on the ground in the battlefields. It was afforded some political privilege as an overseas territory, giving it direct representation and clout in the French National Assembly.

Soon after Independence in 1960, civil war ensued when the large Muslim population felt they were not being treated fairly under the autocratic rule of a non-Muslim leader, François Tombalbaye. The civil war led to the disintegration of Chad and French participation. Libya filled the power vacuum left by France and by the civil war. Hissène Habré, with French backing became the next president in 1987 and pushed Libya out. Within three years he himself was overthrown by his own General, Idriss Déby.

Déby has proved to have staying power; he’s still in charge winning four successive elections despite attempted coups, rebellions, alleged war crimes, and house arrest.

His reign can be seen as an illustration of democracy poorly executed by an African nation, but also equally the result of over a half a century of colonisation by Europeans.

On its Independence Day today, can there be somewhere in the eyes of some young man or woman a glint of hope for a more democratic and peaceful future ahead? Who knows? We can only keep the faith.

OBV Staff Writer