By John Ikani
The transitional authorities in Chad have released from prison the first of some 250 members of armed groups they’d promised to set free under an amnesty aimed at fostering dialogue after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby last April.
Chad’s Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Alhabo led a short ceremony at a prison near the capital where 22 detainees who’d been convicted of taking up arms against the government were released.
Alhabo said the objective of a conviction was to allow the detainee to reflect on the crime and to change his behavior with a view to a dignified, responsible and civic social reintegration.
“The implementation of measures for the remission of sentences, pardons and amnesties, constitute a new vision of the highest authorities to contribute to social peace and the establishment of impartial, fair and accessible justice for all,” he said.
He added that forgiveness guarantees the restoration of trust between the sons and daughters of Chad and of the social peace demanded.
Besides those convicted of rebellion, instructions have been given to the presidents of the courts of appeal to proceed with the release of detainees who remained for a long time without trial or without having appeared before a judge, according to the minister.
Chad’s Transitional Military Council is led by Mahamat Idriss Deby, who seized power after his father was killed while visiting troops fighting an insurgency in the north.
He has said the national talks are a necessary precursor to presidential and legislative elections.
Rebel groups have been invited to join national peace-building talks which are due to start next month.
One of those officially pardoned, Samedi Torde Tanel, thanked those who made it possible, and said he hoped others could benefit from such a gesture in the future.
The release of political prisoners was a key demand by opposition groups invited to join a forum on Chad’s future.
The release of detainees would facilitate their participation in an inclusive national dialogue announced for mid-February and which should facilitate preparation for the end of the transition.
