The rebel group known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), which was involved in the killing of President Idriss Deby, says it’s ready to “observe a ceasefire” and willing to discuss a political settlement, a spokesman said.
The new ruling military government, however, has refused to proceed with any negotiation.
“The time is not for mediation, nor for negotiation with outlaws,” Azem Bermandoa Agouna, spokesman of the military council, said in a statement.
A day earlier, the military said it bombarded the rebels “to the verge of despair” to stop their advancement on the city. FACT had advanced as close as 200-300 kilometers (125-185 miles) from the capital, N’Djamena.
“We have affirmed our availability to observe a truce, a ceasefire … but this morning we were bombarded again,” Mahamat Mahadi Ali, head of FACT, told AFP late Saturday.
“We cannot respect the truce unilaterally. A truce must be made on both sides. We will not fold our arms and let ourselves be massacred,” he added.
Another spokesman confirmed the group’s intentions to Reuters.
“FACT is ready to observe a ceasefire for a political settlement that respects the independence and sovereignty of Chad and does not endorse a coup d’etat,” FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol told Reuters on Sunday.
