Chad military council, rebel leaders to attend peace talks

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Diplomats and negotiators told AFP that Chad's ruling junta is scheduled on Monday to meet rebel leaders in Qatar for the signature of an accord in Doha that will start landmark peace talks aiming for elections later this year.

The leader of Chad's military council Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno will land in Doha on Saturday. 

Mahamat Deby was proclaimed president on April 2021, right after the death of his father Idriss Deby, at the head of a transitional military council of 15 generals. 

His father, Idriss Déby, who took power in December 1990 following a military coup that ousted his predecessor, Hissène Habré, was killed while fighting the principal opposition Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), after ruling Chad for 30 years. 

Following his death, his son, Mahamat Deby immediately promised free and democratic elections within 18 months after an "inclusive national dialogue" with the entire political opposition and rebel groups.

The dialogue for national reconciliation was initially scheduled for February 15 and then May 10 of this year. Both were postponed due to a pre-dialogue in Doha that did not facilitate the inclusion of some rebel leaders in the peace talks.

A senior diplomatic source said that "The signature will be on Monday;" it is unclear though whether or not the rebel group FACT will sign the accord.

Some 1,360 people will participate in the inclusive national dialogue, including representatives of civil society, trade unions, and government officials.

Others include foreign ministers from countries concerned with stability in Central and West Africa to be also present for the signing.

"Even without FACT, there is a majority in favour of starting the talks in N'Djamena on August 20," said the negotiator for one group.