Chad frees 380 rebels jailed for ex-president's death

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Hundreds of Chadian rebels who were jailed in connection with the death of former President Idriss Deby Itno walked free Wednesday after two years in prison.

The 380 members of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebel group were pardoned by transition President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno last month.

They are among the 400 who had been handed life terms on March 21 in connection with the death of Idriss Deby Itno, the father of the current Chadian leader.

They were tried and found guilty of acts of terrorism, undermining national security, endangering the life of the head of state, and recruitment of minors among other charges.

Chad’s Justice Minister Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo presided over the ceremony, where he handed over the release certificates to the group at Klessoum prison near the capital N'Djamena, according to the Chad Information Agency.

“The objective of the conviction was to get the person to reflect on the criminal act for which he was convicted with a view of changing behavior to live a dignified, responsible life after reintegration,” Alhabo was quoted as saying.

The group’s release is in “fulfillment of the pledge the president made last year at the national peace-building talks to free members of armed groups under an amnesty in order to foster dialogue.”

The group’s leader Mahamat Ali Mahadi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia, was excluded from the clemency.

Chad issued an international arrest warrant for Mahadi.

In January 2022, the transitional government also released some 250 members of armed groups who had been convicted on charges of taking up arms against the established government.

The FACT rebels released Wednesday were captured in April 2021 during clashes with the military in northern Chad.

Deby’s father, who ruled the country for three decades, was killed in those clashes when he went to visit troops on the frontlines.

A military council led by Deby was formed after his death to govern the country for an 18-month transition period.

He was supposed to hand over power to an elected government last October, but that deadline was not met and he became the interim president that same month.

The military has extended the transition period by two years, with elections scheduled to be held in October 2024. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​