Idriss Deby news stories on Newser

Chad Pardons, Frees French 'Orphan' Kidnappers

Jason Farago — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:49:28 CDT

The six men imprisoned for kidnapping 103 Chadian children have been pardoned and freed from a French prison, reports the BBC. Convicted in Chad and sentenced to hard labor, the members of charity group Zoe's Ark had been transferred to a facility in France, and received a pardon from Chadian...

Chad President Claims 'Control' of Country

Nick McMaster — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:19:45 CST

The president of Chad said today his forces had reclaimed control of the whole nation, the AP reports. "Security forces have repulsed the aggressors. The mercenaries directed by Sudan have been forced to flee," Idriss Deby said in his first public remarks since the uprising began last week. A rebel...

Rebels Flee Chad's Capital

Kevin Spak — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:19:35 CST

Rebels pulled out of Chad’s capital city of N’Djamena last night, temporarily ending a 2-day siege, but renewed hostilities broke out today, the AP reports. The rebels said they pulled back to allow civilians to flee, an offer hundreds took advantage of. But the interior minister insisted the army was...

Chadian Army, Rebels Battle a Second Day

Jane Yager — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:17:00 CST

Gunfire echoed through the Chadian capital of N'Djamena today, as government forces struggled to fight back rebels on the second day of an offensive which they claimed had trapped the president in his palace, the AP reports. A spokesman for France's military—which maintains a presence in its former colony—...

Rebels Storm Chad's Capital in Coup Attempt

Wesley Oliver — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:47:27 CST

Rebels looking to overthrow Chad's president stormed the capital today, advancing toward the African nation’s presidential palace and ransacking its parliament building, CNN reports. Ndjamena has been the site of fierce clashes between rebels and government forces, and today, a military source told the AFP it “is in the hands...

6 Charged in Darfur 'Kidnapping'

Lucas Laursen — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:12:58 CDT

Six French nationals who attempted to fly children from Chad to France for adoption have been charged with kidnapping. The Chad government also detained 11 other alleged accomplices, including the flight crew, reports the AP. Charity group L'Arche de Zoe had arranged French host families for 103 children they called...

Son of Chad Prez Probable Murder Victim

Caroline Zimmerman — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:27:12 CDT

French police have launched an investigation into the death of Brahim Deby, whose body was recovered in the parking lot of his apartment building, Reuters reports. Once touted as a possible successor to his father, the younger Deby had become a controversial figure, doing time in France for drugs and...