The weakness of the O.A.U during the Chadian civil war
It
delayed to send a peace keeping force to Chad. Although the civil war
had broken out in 1965, the OAU only sent its peace keeping force in
1981- and even then, did so with the assistance of president Mitterand
of France.
It failed in its cardinal objective of preventing member states from interfering into each other's affairs.
The OAU was formed to respect and protect the territorial integrity of
member states. However, in the case of the civil war in Chad, it failed
to stop Libya from occupying
Chad's territory-Ouzou strip.
The OAU proved powerless over France and USA which gave military
assistance to Chad and thereby fuelling the civil war. In this way, OAU
failed in its aim of checking against neo-colonialism.
The 3000 troops which the OAU sent to keep peace in Chad were too few as compared to the task involved.
The OAU didn't provide enough funds to the peace keeping force.
The OAU didn't provide enough funds to the peace keeping force.
The OAU had inadequate weapons and war logistics.
The civil war in Chad revealed a major weakness of the OAU- lack of a
permanent army to handle civil conflicts arising all over the continent.
The OAU was revealed as a weak body without clear principles. This was because it had no clear plan of action for Chad.
The 18 nation standing committee of the OAU which was set up to handle the affairs of Chad was not practical.
When the OAU requested Libya to withdraw its forces from Chad, Gadafi
responded immediately and withdrew his "Islamic Legion army " in early
November 1981. Unfortunately, the OAU delayed to send its peace keeping
forces to fill the gap left by Libyan troops.
Between January- June 1982, Habre's FAN forces re-organised themselves
and moved freely through the northern and central parts of Chad without
meeting any counter- check from the OAU troops which were by then in
Chad.
On 7th June 1982, the OAU peace keeping forces looked on as Habre's FAN
forces captured N'djamena- the capital of Chad and overthrew the
legitimate government of Goukouni.
On 11th June 1982, the OAU chairman for that year- President Arap Moi of Kenya ordered the OAU peacekeeping forces out of Chad.
Qn. Account for the Chadian problems from 1965 to 1980
Qn. Account for the Chadian problems from 1965 to 1980
- Unequal development/colonial heritage
- Tombalbaye was a dictator.
- Tribalism
- Religious differences ie Christians versus moslems
- Issues of Chaditude
- Assassination of Tombalbaye in 1975 brought no peace to Chad
- Malloum continued to fight with FROLINAT in order to cling to power. FROLINAT was backed by Libya.
- Split within FROLINAT worsened the Chadian crisis.
- In 1980s Libya supported Weddeye against Habre
- Conflicts between and Habre resulting from the collapse of GUNT (government of national unity)
- Chadian politicians could not settle their differences.
- Role of Gaddafi in the conflict.
- Conclude.
National Movements and New States in Africa