Word: habr
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...negligible strategic value, Chad never seemed important enough for major powers to worry about. But last week, alarmed by the latest turn of events in the landlocked former French colony, President Reagan authorized an additional $15 million in military aid to the embattled government of President Hissène Habré, bringing the total U.S. commitment to $25 million. The reason for the U.S. concern: Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi had dramatically stepped up his support for rebels trying to topple Habré. Said a senior State Department official: "There is a continent-wide pattern of Libyan destabilization, Libyan terrorist activities...
...government of French President François Mitterrand has sent close to $40 million worth of arms and supplies to its former colony since late June. Last week France responded to an urgent plea from Habré by shipping antiaircraft weaponry to N'Djamena. Mitterrand has hesitated to send French troops to Chad. But he has come under pressure from a number of African nations that fear a Libyan victory in Chad would encourage Gaddafi to spread his subversion throughout the area...
...President, Mobutu Sese Seko, also hopes to see Gaddafi's advance halted. Last month Mobutu sent 2,000 paratroopers to Chad to help guard strategic points in the capital, freeing Habré's troops for the battle against the rebels in the north. In Washington for talks with President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz last week, Mobutu promised to send more troops to Chad. U.S. officials praised him for his "courageous action...
...culture of the Sahara and the black African traditions of Christians and animists who are engaged in agriculture in the savannas of the more densely populated south. Although Chad's internal turmoil began as a conflict between north and south, it has grown into a power struggle between Habré and Goukouni, two Muslim warlords from the north...
...Libya has occupied the area, which is believed to be rich in uranium and manganese. In June 1980, Goukouni, who was then President, signed a friendship treaty with Gaddafi, granting Libya the right to intervene militarily in Chad and laying plans for a merger of the two countries. Habré, who was then Defense Minister, took up arms against Goukouni in protest, but he was defeated in December 1980. Goukouni ruled for a year and a half until Habré drove...