More than 42 opposition and rebel factions signed a peace agreement with the Chadian transitional authorities on Monday, August 8 in Doha after years of armed conflicts.

“This agreement paves the way for the start of the national, inclusive, and sovereign dialogue in Chad in the capital, N'Djamena, which aims to achieve comprehensive national reconciliation,” Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The signing came after more than five months of talks, and the ceremony was attended by the head of the Chadian Military Council, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

Deby promised a national dialogue and elections within 18 months, but he refused the rebels' request not to run for president. The agreement also did not provide any details about the organization of the elections as the deadline approached.

According to the agreement, the Transitional Military Council and the opposition will hold a national peace dialogue in the capital, N'Djamena, on August 20, with the promise of providing safety and protection for all.

The interim military government took over following the death of former President Idriss Deby, who was killed in 2021 on the battlefield during fighting with the main rebel group, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT).

Mahamat Zene Cherif, foreign minister of the interim military government, said he believed the agreement would lead to a lasting peace.

“Most of the armed groups signed this agreement and they will take part in the national dialogue. And this national, inclusive dialogue is a forum for all Chadian people,” he said in a press conference after the signing in Doha.

Absences, doubts, mutual charges

Despite pleas from the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the ruling military council and the opposition to seize the agreement's opportunity to stabilize the country, several rebel groups, including FACT, the most influential and largest, refused to sign the agreement.

In a statement issued prior to the signing of the agreement, FACT announced its rejection of the agreement.

The movement's leader, Mahamat Mahdi Ali, said the junta-led government had not met their demands for increased safety guarantees and the release of more than 300 fighters from government prisons. Nevertheless, the rebel group stated that it “remains open to dialogue everywhere and always.”

FACT split in 2016 from the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD). Its leader, Ali, studied in France, where he was active in the Socialist Party.

Commentators believe that this absence weakens the chances and prospects for a quick peace, and raises concerns about the return of violence.

In a statement to DW, Ali accused the military council of sidelining his group, saying that “there was nothing sincere about the agreement.”

But the Chadian foreign minister rejected these allegations, saying that they met more than 95% of the demands of the political and military groups.

“I think our suspicions were confirmed that some came here only to have a stage for their demands and to prove that they could disrupt and threaten proceedings,” he said.