CHAD: PROTESTS ESCALATING

Several protesters were killed in Chad on 27 April as thousands took to the streets to voice their contempt over the appointment of Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby as leader of the Transitional Military Council shortly after his father’s killing – a move many in the nation condemn as a coup.
His father, Idriss Déby – an autocratic ruler of a government noted for its rampant corruption – had the backing of the French and the U.S. in the fight against Islamic militants in the Sahel. (In last week’s issue, we pointed out that the term “militants” is broadly used by western nations and the media to describe military forces that want to overthrow governments and leaders they support.)
Idriss Déby obtained power in a 1990 coup and ruled the nation until he died on a battlefield on 19 April… allegedly defending the country from rebels. U.S. officials said details of his death were murky.
Protesters vs. Military
The Associated Press reported that police in the capital fired tear gas on protesters and “demonstrators carried signs demanding that the power in the country be handed back to its people.” There were reports that security forces in the country used live ammunition on protesters in N’Djamena and Moundou. 
The United Nations reported about 700 protesters have been arrested. The U.N. appealed to the government to abide by its “obligations under international human rights law to protect and respect human rights, including the right to life, and to facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.”
Chadian forces faced off with the rebels accused of killing the former leader, and the country said on 29 April “security forces finished dealing” with them, indicating they had been neutralized. France 24 reported on Friday that “several hundred” rebels were killed during consecutive days of fighting. Sixty-six other rebels were captured, and six Chadian soldiers died in the conflict.
Rebels from the same group said they do not recognize the son as the leader. 
The French government supports the Chadian troops despite condemnations for human atrocities. These troops also joined French forces in 2013… when France built military bases and regained power in their former colony, Mali. (See our 13 April article, “FRENCH AIR STRIKE IN MALI: MASS MURDER OF INNOCENTS.”)
TRENDPOST: In contrast to the France-led military intervention, China has included Mali as part of its massive “Belt and Road” initiative. China has begun the construction of a hydroelectric dam in the northern part of the country and continues to initiate large infrastructure projects.
As Gerald Celente has continually noted, “The Business of China is Business. The business of America is War. The 20th century was the American century. The 21st century will be the Chinese century.”