International Leaders: Chad

This short discussion is about the coming into power of, and the uniqueness of the president of Chad, Idriss Déby. While there are numerous topics that can be discussed in depth with regards to Déby (such as the Darfur region, rebel fighting, refugees from nearby countries, the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline, Chadian politics and corruption, human rights violation, low human development figures and almost non-existent infrastructure, the reshuffling of government, consolidation of power by Déby, and so forth), this discussion focuses on several interesting distinctions about Déby as a leader.

Idriss Déby is a case of a legitimate leader that has come into power through illegitimate means. That is, he has legitimate power, through his presidency; however, this power was gained through the use of coercive power. During the 1980’s, Déby was a leading general in the former president’s government (Habre). In 1989, as a result of ethnic conflicts within the government, Déby (of the Zaghawa ethnic group) defected to Darfur (in Sudan), where he mustered ethnic support. It is fascinating that ethnic differences still divide nations and regions and bring death to millions in our time, especially in Africa, where the extent of these differences is usually quite superficial (such as the name of a group). In 1990 with Libyan aid and no resistance from French troupes in Chad, Déby seized power (along with his Patriotic Salvation Movement) and became president.

Déby has been reelected twice since, though the election proceedings had “numerous serious irregularities”. Interestingly, it is a former rebel group that is now in power (and referred to as “the government”), while all opposing groups (some of which are based in the CAR and Cameroon) are now referred to as “rebels”. These “rebel” forces have attempted two failed coups, but have since signed shaky peace agreements with Déby. Déby has recently successfully passed a referendum on the two-term limit on the presidency. Thus, later this year, Déby will be able to run for his third consecutive term, not including the five years from his seizure of power (1990) to the first elections (1996).

Déby is quite outspoken, as are many leaders in unstable regions who have seized power through force. Such leaders need to communicate an air of authority, both to inspire internal support (for a leader perceived to be strong) and to frighten potential external opposition. Demanding better terms for the oil deal, led by Exxon, Déby has said, "Chad only gets 12.5 percent of royalties from the oil revenues ... I didn't sign the agreement, it was my predecessor ... it's a fool's agreement."

While Déby has taken some steps to improve the overall situation in Chad, as well as creating a multiparty government, his power is still very much centralized – with the support of the growing military and oil revenues. This is also seen in the judicial system. The constitution guarantees judicial independence, though Déby controls the naming of the entire Supreme Court. The steps described below may be intended to reduce Déby’s risk of losing power.

Another interesting distinction is that, although there is much corruption, many human rights violations, very low access to basic inputs (such as electricity, clean water, roads, healthcare, and telecommunications), there seems to be very little opposition to Déby in his government and the Chadian population. Possibly, Déby has been able to keep his allies “fat”. There is also a possibility that a new, younger leader may be even more radical and power-hungry than Déby.

In his mid-fifties and with failing health (as in Arafat’s case), Déby seems to have realized the benefits and necessity of global participation. This, in turn, requires some diplomacy, as well as many compromises. Hence, Déby has entered into economic reform agreements with the IMF and the World Bank, leading to the construction of the Chad-Cameroon Crude Oil Pipeline (Chad being landlocked). Oil revenues are beginning to be collected, though at a lesser rate than anticipated. Also, Déby has just signed a peace deal with Sudanese president, El-Bashir. This deal aims to end the Darfur conflicts (which have led to 180,000 deaths over the past three years) by having each country cease to refuge each other’s rebel groups. But Déby will have to take many more steps before building his credibility in the eyes of the world.