WEST AFRICA: IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 44
CHAD: Claims and counter-claims of fighting in the Tibesti
The rebel Mouvement pour la Democratie et la Justice au Tchad (MDJT) has
denied reports that the brother of its leader died in weekend clashes in
northern Chad's Tibesti region, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported
on Thursday.
Chadian military sources had said on Wednesday that there was fierce
fighting on 29-31 October between the army and the MDJT in the rugged
mountain region, AFP reported. The French news agency quoted Communication
Minister Mahamat Louani as saying the fighting took place in an area called
Pumou.
The MDJT is led by one-time defence minister Youssouf Togoimi, who formed
the group in late 1998 after falling out with President Idriss Deby. The
government said his brother, Kali Togoi, was one of several people killed on
both sides. Louani also said several MDJT vehicles were destroyed.
However, the MDJT said the report of the "imaginary fighting" and of Kali
Togoi's death was "a shameful and grotesque" fabrication meant to boost the
morale of Ndjamena's troops.
Obtaining independent confirmation of events in the Tibesti, a remote
region, is usually difficult.
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