Context

Fighting in Chad continues unabated with dire consequences on the peace-process in Sudan and CAR. The rebel attack on N’Djamena in early February 2008 is the second coup attempt in Chad in two years. The disappearance of Ibn Oumar Mahamat Saleh, political party leader, remains unresolved. Despite an April 13th, 2007 agreement between the Government of Chad and the political parties facilitated by the European Union and an October 25th, 2007 Peace-agreement between the Government of Chad and 4 major rebel groups facilitated by Libya, hostilities resumed with increased intensity. The piece-meal approach to resolving conflict in Chad has been ineffective because international stakeholders involved in mediating the crisis have not included all segments of Chadian society in their negotiations and failed to address the root causes of the crisis.

To ensure that international stakeholders such as the European Union, the United Nations, Libya, Gabon, Senegal, Sudan, France, the United States and others are in support of a sustainable  exit strategy that favors an Inclusive National Peace Dialogue, CFK is organizing an Inter-Chadian Debate to define what Chadians truly want when speaking about such a dialogue. Chadians from all walks of life will debate and build consensus around topics such as:

1. Can there be a dialogue if the case of Mr. Ibn Oumar Mahamat Saleh remains unresolved?
2. What pre-conditions need to be fulfilled for there to be a dialogue
3. What does “inclusive” mean (defining the terminology)?
4. What chief mediator do Chadians favor?
5. How or who would be coordinating the process?
6. What themes will the dialogue discuss and resolve?
7. What role will rebel leaders play during the dialogue?

Organizers

CFK is an International Children´s Organisation whose Vision is to empower the lives of destitute children worldwide. We strengthen the communities where we operate by building the foundation for peaceful and productive societies and promoting self-sustained, people-centered approaches to development. CFK works in collaboration with an Advisory Committee composed of U.S. – based Chadians. CFK has developed an integrated approach to transformational development and poverty reduction in Chad. Interventions address the multiple layers of the current crisis and the root of poverty in the country. Current CFK-Chad programs include:

• Individual-level Initiatives: Education to Employment

• Community-level Initiatives: Capacity Building

• National-level Initiatives: Peace Building

• International-level Initiatives: Policy and Advocacy

This initiative falls under CFK's peace-building initiatives.

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