Chadian authorities have announced that 30 mercenaries belonging to rebel movements had given up their weapons, and returned from Libya, where they were active to launch military operations against the Chadian regime.
A reception was held for the former rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), in the presence of the Governor of the desert town of Kanem, Isaac Hassan Jojo.
Their withdrawal comes within the “framework of the policy of openness, national reconciliation, and comprehensive national dialogue called for by the authorities in Chad.”
The former rebel leader, Ousmane Mohamed Tahir expressed his “firm determination to consolidate peace, security and coexistence in Chad.” He also called on other rebels to “lay down their arms and join the ongoing national reconciliation process in order to build a united Chad, based on equality.”
In January, a Chadian mercenary group, known as the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development, announced its withdrawal from southern Libya.
The withdrawal comes shortly ahead of a UN-sponsored meeting regarding foreign fighters stationed in Libya, who come from neighbouring Sudan, Chad, and Niger.
In a statement, the Chadian rebel group, led by General Mohamed Nouri, announced that they had begun departing from Libya into Chad. They indicated that this comes in the implementation of the terms of the Doha peace agreement. This was between the Chadian government and rebel factions, and was signed in August 2022.
Ramadan Al-Tuwaijer, a Libyan legal expert, said that “all Libyans now call for the removal of all forces, and to end the presence of foreign bases in the country, without exception.”
In press statements, Al-Tuwaijer called for Libya to “establish balanced and strong relations with various international parties based on respect for the mutual sovereignty of states and the exchange of interests.”
He also highlighted the importance of Libya “taking a neutral stance towards international conflicts. This is required by the national interest and the existential security of Libya.”
The withdrawal sheds light on the remaining militants deployed across the country, especially in Western Libya.
Libyan politicians believe that the issue of foreign forces and mercenaries, who have been present in Libya since 2014, has become managed by international bodies.