By John Ikani
The interim president of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Deby, has taken a surprising step by granting amnesty to 380 members of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT).
The pardoned rebels were among 400 recently given life sentences in relation to the death of Mahamat’s father and Chad’s long-time ruler, Idriss Deby Itno.
The elder Deby was killed during a visit to troops fighting FACT on the frontline in northern Chad, following an offensive launched by the group from bases in Libya.
The rebels had been convicted of various charges including terrorism, recruitment of child soldiers, and undermining national security.
Idriss Deby’s decision to pardon the rebels is part of his efforts to initiate peace talks with different rebel groups since his installation as president after his father’s death.
However, Mahamat Mahdi Ali, the exiled leader of FACT, who was tried and convicted in absentia, was not included in the amnesty.
FACT has refused to participate in peace talks, insisting that the transitional authorities must make peace gestures such as releasing prisoners before they can take part.
Idriss Deby had earlier promised to hold democratic elections after 18 months, which was initially scheduled for October 2022.
However, he later announced that the elections would be postponed until 2024, leading to violent anti-government protests.
At least 60 people have been killed and hundreds arrested during the demonstrations.
