Will Chad become Africa’s next warzone?

If you went to Doha this summer, you may have seen some militiamen from Chad. Perhaps at breakfast. For the last few months, 300 downtrodden tribesman, disaffected politicians, and madmen with guns have been staying in the city’s Sheraton Grand hotel, negotiating peace with the Chadian government. Three weeks ago they signed a ceasefire and now, having supposedly agreed not to kill each other, they are back in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, trying to organise elections. If they can’t, Africa will become home to the world’s largest warzone.

Mahamat Déby leads Chad’s junta and asked for the talks after his father, a dictator of 30 years, was killed by one of the militias. When Déby Jr subsequently seized power, and he said he wanted a ‘national dialogue’ in N’Djamena to finally make peace with his father’s enemies. Before then, he wanted the government and the militants to agree a ceasefire, watched over by the neutral Qataris.