Rebels take over Chad’s capital
Rebels in Chad have surrounded the presidential palace today in the capital city of N’Djamena.
Chadian rebels surrounded the presidential palace in N’Djamena on Saturday after storming into the capital, and France began evacuating French and foreign nationals from the city.
After a day of fierce clashes in the streets of N’Djamena, there was speculation about the whereabouts of President Idriss Deby, but at least two of his ministers said he remained inside the palace complex at the head of loyal troops.
The official Libyan news agency JANA reported one of the leaders of the rebels, Mahamat Nouri, had agreed to a ceasefire and negotiations with government forces following mediation by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
But a rebel spokesman, Henchi Ordjo, told Reuters that the rebel fighters were simply holding back an assault on the palace to allow Deby the opportunity to leave.
The United States has condemned the the action of the rebels and the African Union has threatened to kick Chad out of the AU if the insurgents take power. For those of you who had no idea that Chad was even a nation let alone in a state of civil upheaval, go here for some facts about the country and here for a timeline.
