BuaNews (Tshwane)
Lavinia Mahlangu
7 February 2008
Pretoria — In the wake of the weekend's failed coup d'etat in Chad's capital N'Djamena, three more South Africans who have been living in the central African nation, are now preparing to evacuate.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that three citizens who had been in their home in N'Djamena since the weekend, had arrived safely at the local French School.
The evacuations come after clashes on Sunday, during which Chad's military thwarted an attempted coup by rebels who tried to storm the presidential palace, in the Chadian capital N'Djamena. The attempted overthrow marked the second day of fighting in what is the second coup attempt coup against President Idriss Deby in as many years.
As per the agreement between South Africa and the French authorities to assist in this situation, the three citizens will be transported to the French Military base, ready for evacuation.
Since Monday, nine South Africans were transported to Libreville, Gabon from N'Djamena to Gabon by the French Military. Also on Wednesday, the four South Africans who were evacuated from N'Djamena on Monday touched down safely at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, from Gabon via Addis Ababa on Wednesday. "The other South African who was part of the group remains in Gabon," said the department in a statement, adding that the other four nationals, evacuated on Tuesday from N'Djamena were expected later on Wednesday.
"While there are South Africans in other parts of Chad, their situation is not in danger at this stage. However the Government will assess their situation on a continuous basis and make decisions as and when conditions change."
Thus far, 15 South Africans who work for mining companies and cellular phone enterprises were confirmed to have been in Chad. The department urged South African families who have relatives in Chad, but had not been contacted to call Consular Services at (012) 351-1000. The AU made it clear that it would not accept any rebel government in Chad.
"We announce categorically that whatever happens in Chad, if the rebellion succeeds certainly we will ex-communicate them from the African Union until normalcy and democratic institutions return to that country," said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the current AU Chair at the recently concluded AU Summit. The summit has tasked the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville President Dennis Sassou Nguessu and Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi to lead peace talks between the government rebels.
On Monday, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting and demanded an immediate end to the violence in Chad. Briefing reporters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad gave an overview of South Africa's position on the current situation, and moves to resolve it.
"The South African government welcomes the AU Summit's condemnation of the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against the Chadian government and the demand that an immediate end be put to these attacks and the resulting bloodshed," said Mr Pahad.
South Africa, in line with the AU, will reject any unconstitutional change of regime in Chad and would not recognise any unconstitutional change of government. French humanitarian organisation Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) reported that it had treated 70 wounded in N'Djamena, over the weekend adding that "many hundreds of other wounded" were reported to be in other hospitals in the city.
Mr Pahad estimated that at least 500 people had been wounded by mid-week. The Deputy Minister expressed concern at the possible spill over effects which the Chadian situation may have on the already volatile central Africa region. "We are very concerned about developments in Chad because the fighting in Chad threatens regional peace and security as Chad borders Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Niger.
"And therefore any overspill of the Chad conflict will have wider regional repercussions, therefore we are very keen to bring about an end to the violence in Chad."
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