New military rule is entrenching itself in Chad

Significance

Although Deby and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed Chad’s political transition from military to civilian rule, the meeting’s emphasis was on security issues in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, in Libya, and within Chad itself.

Impacts

• Deby is investing substantial energy in foreign relations, not just with France but also with neighbouring states.
• If Deby and the CMT ultimately decide to prolong the transition, foreign objections will likely be fairly minimal and brief.
• Despite outcry from human rights groups over the security forces’ treatment of protesters in April and May, accountability is unlikely.