Yearbook 2009
Chad. In January, the UN Security Council approved plans for a peace force for Chad and the Central African Republic. In March, the UN force assumed responsibility for the peace mission previously led by the EU in the area. The UN force had about 2,000 members from the beginning and the number would increase to 5,200 during the year. Its mission was primarily to protect about 450,000 refugees in the violent border areas, where fighting between rebels and the military is common. A UN report in the autumn said that security has not improved much for the population since MINURCAT began its mission. See ABBREVIATIONFINDER for abbreviation CD which stands for the nation of Chad.
According to countryaah, Chad and Sudan, who often accused each other of supporting rebels on both sides, signed another peace treaty in early May. But only days later, Chadian rebels were reported to have entered the country from Sudan. The Chad government accused Sudan of also sending in Sudanese government soldiers, which was denied. The fighting between the rebels and the government army, backed by the Air Force, forced the UN to suspend emergency aid to refugees in the area and evacuate personnel. The rebel attack was fought and Chad’s army then crossed the border into Sudan and attacked several of the rebels’ camps, which were also bombed. Sudan protested against the intrusion, but Chad asserted its right to go after rebels who attacked the country from Sudanese territory. Shortly thereafter, a military base in western Sudan was attacked by the Darfur rebels JEM, which is considered to have relations with Chad’s President Idriss Déby. Six aid organizations temporarily suspended their work in eastern Chad in November after an aid worker was murdered and one kidnapped. The rebel resistance in the east was considerably weakened, and in December the United Resistance Front (URF) rebels were attacked by the Air Force and the army.
During the year, the World Bank decided to invest the equivalent of SEK 1 and a half billion to increase access to the Internet through broadband in central Africa. The project would start in Chad and neighboring Cameroon.
Shopping
Overview
Carpets, ornate gourds, knives, pottery and brass animals. Shop opening hours: Mon-Sat 09.00-12.30 and 16.00-19.30. Grocery stores are open on Sunday mornings. The capital’s market is open from 7:30 a.m. to sunset.
Nightlife
Introduction
Nightlife is limited to N’Djamena and the larger towns.
Culinary
Overview
There is a good choice of restaurants in N’Djamena, mainly serving French and African cuisine. Be careful with restaurants outside the big cities and food stalls in street markets. The food supply is subject to frequent bottlenecks. Alcoholic beverages are available in the non-Muslim areas of N’Djamena.
Culture
Religion
Muslim (51%), Christian (35%, predominantly Catholic), and 7% followers of indigenous religions and 7% others.
Social Rules of Conduct
Dress is casual but modest in accordance with Islamic precepts. Strict gender segregation is practiced especially in the cities. They shake hands to greet each other. No food is accepted or given with the left hand. Showing the soles of the feet is taken as an insult. Photography is permitted everywhere only with a photography permit to be applied for at the Ministry of Tourism. Enforcement of this rule varies from place to place. In extreme cases, taking photos without permission can lead to arrest and confiscation of the camera. Tipping: 10% is customary. US dollars are gladly accepted.
Climate
Best travel time
Hot tropical climate with regionally different temperatures. The rainy season in the south lasts from May to October, in the middle of the country from June to September. In the north, slight precipitation is possible throughout the year. In the dry season it is often windy and cooler in the evenings.
Country data
Phone prefix
+235
Area (sq km)
1284000
Population
16,425,864
Population density (per square km)
9
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
17