Chad INC: How Idriss Deby transformed his country into a corrupt family business.

As Africans, we have been told times and again that our problems stem from without, not within. While it is difficult to disagree within this thesis, our lived realities also seem to indicate that the bulk of our problems come from those to whom we have entrusted the leadership of our countries. Caught up by the resource curse, Chad Republic is an illustration of this situation.

It was a big celebration when, In June 2000, the World Bank and the oil consortium compose of ExxonMobil, Chevron and Petronas announced they would finance the exploration and production of the oil in Chad. The announcement of the project was welcomed as a beacon of hope for the landlocked North Central African country that needed it badly to charter a new course for its development. 

This hope has been dashed as the revenues generated by the oil so far, a whooping more than USD $13 billion has been mismanaged, diverted and looted by the president’s siblings and family members with little and or no accountability. 

Today, despite the narrative of that country’s military exploits in many Sahelian countries, its populations are worse off than they ever were at any point in time (exception made for hardships endured in periods of active wars). 

A detailed investigative report recently published by Swissaid excellently captures how President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad and his family members have been looting the country. A total state capture made possible by an unscrupulous corrupt and greedy President and his family. Excerpt of the report reads (translation fro French):

“ Over the period of 26 years, Idriss Deby Itno, Chad’s president has transformed his country into a private, corrupt family business. His regime acts in the most repressive way possible. The president’s siblings and family members as well as his wife control big portions of the oil sector. ”

Sadly, instead of attending to these allegations of rampant corruption, looting and embezzlement, the Deby regime has vowed to prosecute those who contributed to producing the report. You can read the whole report “Chad Inc” by yourself on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative website.

Rose Lokissim: The courage to fight for a socially just world!

The successful conviction of Chad's former notorious dictator, tyrant and torturer Hissene Habre for crimes against humanity on  Monday, May 30, 2016 was made possible in part by the careful records kept by this valiant human rights activist, Rose Lokissim. Although she was later executed, today, her memories of courage in the face of the rare brutality she went through is legendary.  Watch the documentary below.

2014 Corruption Perception Index

Poorly equipped schools, counterfeit medicine and elections decided by money are just some of the consequences of public sector corruption. Bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable – they undermine justice and economic development, and destroy public trust in government and leaders.
Based on expert opinion from around the world, the Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide, and it paints an alarming picture. Not one single country gets a perfect score and more than two-thirds score below 50, on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Corruption is a problem for all countries. A poor score is likely a sign of widespread bribery, lack of punishment for corruption and public institutions that don’t respond to citizens’ needs. Countries at the top of the index also need to act. Leading financial centres in the EU and US need to join with fast-growing economies to stop the corrupt from getting away with it. The G20 needs to prove its global leadership role and prevent money laundering and stop secret companies from masking corruption. Transparency International

Addressing the Solution Resistant Islamic Insurgency in Nigeria

The recent abduction of more than 200 school girls in northeastern Nigeria is a clear indication of how the country, despite its vast economic and military potential, lacks the critical ability to ensure the proper security of its citizens. The event sparked a global outcry and motivated the campaign #BringBackOurGirls, which drew attention to the true danger of the Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram.

This tragic event prompted the Nigerian government to openly welcome, for the first time since the beginning of this insurgency, the offer of security assistance from world powers such as the United States, France, and Great Britain. With new support flowing in from major world powers and neighboring countries, the question now is whether Nigeria will indeed be able to effectively address the wider security concern that has now become both messy and solution resistant. Read full blog on the Center for Security Governance page

For Rwanda’s Kagame, critics including foreign nationals have to worry

On 31 December 2013, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief was mysteriously assassinated in his hotel chamber at Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. Must it be the finger of Rwanda’s strong man–Paul Kagame? Hard to tell.

South Africa (SA) timidly but painfully launched an investigation whose result never came out.The truth, it seems, was simply buried—deep under the moving sand of realpolitik. No one will ever know why.

No place on earth for regime critics

Soon afterwards however, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who had earlier denied any role in the assassination of the former spy chief, came out from his reserve and warns in no uncertain terms that those who betray him today will perish tomorrow. He then adds he wished he killed the man himself. 

For Kagame, there will be no place on earth for those who criticize his regime. His statement raises eyebrows but little diplomatic outcry.  Read full article on News24

Zille - Ramphele Rift Favors ANC as Elections Near

the Zille-Ramphele break-up ahead of the 2014 elections reminds me of  celebrity  marriages at Hollywood. Hollywood marriages seldom last. Some have lasted as short as55 hours while others lasted longer–as long as 52 days. That is it! If we can learn anything from Hollywood celebrities, it is that anything can become a dramatic film.

Glamorous, dramatic, thoughtless and short-lived, the breakup of the partnership between the Democratic Alliance headed by Helen Zille and Agang SA’s leader Mamphela Ramphele seems to have followed this pattern. That this happens only weeks ahead of the pending elections is ominous.  Who will be the winners and losers from this unexpected divorce? Read full article on News24

Will the African Union silence all guns by 2020?

The African Union’s (AU) move to declare the year 2014 as a “Year of Agriculture and Food Security” reflects its desperate desire to go beyond the complex web of political crises that have long tied its hands.

Embroiled in a series of deadly conflicts, the AU is finding it difficult to maintain law and order on its soil. This perceived lassitude has prompted world powers such as France, Germany and the United States to want to step in—at last. These arrivals should indeed give the AU the much needed support to implement its ambitious project to silence all guns by 2020, but will it? Read full article on Africa Review

Can the ANC redeem its fading glory?

The South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) has been enjoying more than 60% of voters’ support at virtually every election since 1994, the year that marked the beginning of democratic rule in the country.

Chad's unhelpful role in the CAR

With the build-up of sectarian conflict, scores of people killed, women raped, properties burned, villages destroyed, religious leaders calling for a holy war - the Central African Republic (CAR) crisis is feared to be entering into a Rwandan-like genocide.

The urge to avoid the complete descent into genocide has prompted the African Union and the UN to mobilise troops from African countries for peacekeeping purposes.

However, this effort is being fast compromised by the subversive activities of the Chadian army in its role as both peacekeeper and party to the conflict. Read full article on Africa Review

Rethinking Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: Chad as a Case Study