The Republic of Chad has distanced itself from the activities of rebels identified as the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) who launched attacks against the Central African Republic state armed forces on Wednesday, January 13. 

The Chadian government stated this on Thursday following allegations that its citizens were among the rebels who attacked Chadian troops suggesting the de facto involvement of Chad in the security disturbances in the Central African Republic.

Responding to this, Chad emphasized that it has not interfered in CAR’s crisis except “to support peace and reconciliation initiatives alongside the international community.”

READ ALSO: CPC REBEL GROUPS LAUNCH ATTACKS AGAINST TROOPS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

“The Government of the Republic of Chad strongly denounces these false accusations and reaffirms that, since the withdrawal in 2014 of its contingent of the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic under African leadership (MISCA), Chad has not interfered in any way or manner in the Central African crisis, if not to support peace and reconciliation initiatives alongside the international community,” Chad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahamat Zene Cherif said in a statement. 

_{An image of an alleged Chad citizen arrested in connection to the attack on CAR troops.}

Chad admitted that it received intelligence that some of its citizens were recruited in Bangui, CAR to fight as mercenaries adding that it strongly “condemns the enlistment of Chadian nationals by all parties to the conflict, to arm them and use them as combatants.”

READ ALSO: TENSION IN EMBATTLED CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Find below the statement released by the Chadian government. (translated) 

Following the clashes between, on January 13, 2021, very early in the morning, in the suburbs of Bangui, armed groups rebels against the Central African armed forces and their auxiliaries, supported by MINUSCA, the Central African authorities broadcast on television and on their official websites, information alleging the presence of Chadian fighters among the attackers, suggesting the de facto involvement of Chad in the security disturbances in the Central African Republic.

The Government of the Republic of Chad strongly denounces these false accusations, and reaffirms that, since the withdrawal in 2014 of its contingent of the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic under African leadership (MISCA), Chad has not interfered in any way. manner in the Central African crisis, if not to support peace and reconciliation initiatives alongside the international community.

In addition, the Government condemns the enlistment of Chadian nationals by all parties to the conflict, to arm them and use them as combatants. In this regard, reliable sources indicate that nationals of Chadian origin were recruited in Bangui to fight as mercenaries in the militias.

Chad cannot allow nationals of Chadian origin to be recruited with impunity and used in the conflict, and then exposed to the press as evidence with the sole aim of making their country of origin responsible for their use. The Government warns the Chadians living in the CAR against any illicit activities or reprehensible behavior, likely to endanger their life and their property, as well as the relations between the two countries. Moreover, the Government wishes to recall its position of principle on the Central African crisis, repeatedly reaffirmed by Marshal IDRISS DEBY ITNO, President of the Republic, Chief of the State, which, no later than last December 26, in his capacity as current President of CEN-SAD, condemned, in a press release, all forms of violence and destabilization, as well as external interference aimed at questioning the electoral process, while reaffirming its attachment to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the CAR.

Faithful to the above, Chad once again urges the United Nations, the African Union, the Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and all the international partners of the CAR, to restore dialogue between Central African stakeholders for a peaceful and lasting end to the crisis. 

Done in N'Djamena, January 14, 2021 The Minister of Communication Porte-Paroto of the government Tuni AMB, CHERIF MAHAMAT ZENE

Following the clashes between, on January 13, 2021, very early in the morning, in the suburbs of Bangui, armed groups rebels against the Central African armed forces and their auxiliaries, supported by MINUSCA, the Central African authorities broadcast on television and on their official websites, information alleging the presence of Chadian fighters among the attackers, suggesting the de facto involvement of Chad in the security disturbances in the Central African Republic.

The Government of the Republic of Chad strongly denounces these false accusations, and reaffirms that, since the withdrawal in 2014 of its contingent of the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic under African leadership (MISCA), Chad has not interfered in any way. manner in the Central African crisis, if not to support peace and reconciliation initiatives alongside the international community.

In addition, the Government condemns the enlistment of Chadian nationals by all parties to the conflict, to arm them and use them as combatants. In this regard, reliable sources indicate that nationals of Chadian origin were recruited in Bangui to fight as mercenaries in the militias.

Chad cannot allow nationals of Chadian origin to be recruited with impunity and used in the conflict, and then exposed to the press as evidence with the sole aim of making their country of origin responsible for their use. The Government warns the Chadians living in the CAR against any illicit activities or reprehensible behavior, likely to endanger their life and their property, as well as the relations between the two countries. Moreover, the Government wishes to recall its position of principle on the Central African crisis, repeatedly reaffirmed by Marshal IDRISS DEBY ITNO, President of the Republic, Chief of the State, which, no later than last December 26, in his capacity as current President of CEN-SAD, condemned, in a press release, all forms of violence and destabilization, as well as external interference aimed at questioning the electoral process, while reaffirming its attachment to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the CAR.