Chadian Border Violence MORE4 News
Director : Phil Cox
Producer: Giovanna Stopponi A Native Voice Films Production 16:9 Aspect Ratio
Duration 6mins 55 secs. VO
I am travelling along one of the most dangerous borders in the world. The border between Eastern Chad and Western Sudan. I have come to see why it is now Chad, and not only its neighbour Darfur, that is now suffering violence and thousands of displaced peoples.As I drive, I am seeing deserted village after deserted village. Just like in Darfur, Chadians have fled their homes. I stopped in one village where now only one man, Abdul Rahman Tahir, remains. Abdul Rahman Tahir
So many Chadians have lost their homes and possessions and children. Mainly all of us who live on this border. Its because of the Sudanese government who come inside Chad and kill. I am so pessimistic, today the Chadians are suffering more than the Sudanese, the world doesnt see this, people focus on Darfur and not the Chadians. VO
I left Abdul and headed south. I soon came across Chadian displaced herders who had fled from their usual grazing grounds for fear of violence and no water. Sheik Adum Modur
Bandits are coming across the border, they steal our camels and burn cars and kill people. Woman
We are not safe here, we have to take care wheever we go. So much stealing. VO
These wells in the Chadian desert mean life or death for tens of thousands of Chadians and their livestocks. With the spill over of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Darfur, these wells are now close to running dry. Sheik Adum Modur
The problem of the water is huge here, before we have two wells but now almost nothing.
VO
The Prefect of Tine nearby to this well told me how resources and security are the main issues on the border. Prefect Tine
Everything has changed here now. there are so many people and lack of services, all our water is has gone. The problem of Chad and Sudan are connected if Darfur is solved then the fighting in Chad will stop also. Security in Sudan means security in Chad. VO
Driving on I soon discovered for myself how dangerous was this border region. Phil to Camera
We have just been stopped by a rebel group, all around this area of eastern Chad, is full of militias and rebels groups, this one is fighting in Darfur against the Sudanese government but they are based here in Chad. VO
This was the JEM rebel group that are based in Chad but fighting against the Sudanese government a few miles away in Darfur. They boarded my car and insisted we follow them. These rebel groups and militias have been known to kidnap and even kill. To ensure my safe passage I agreed to an interview.What they told me however revealed momentous news. Their former enemies, the Janjaweed, who in Darfur and Chad have committed terrible crimes, are now leaving the Sudanese government and joining these rebels. Nasradin Ahmmad TendiJEM
There are now many people from the Arab tribes and Janjaweed who are leaving the Sudanese governementa nd are joining us. We accept them, because they also have been cheated not their leaders who have committed crimes, but the innocent janjaweed we will fight with. VO
The rebels agreed to arrange an interview with one of the Janjaweed leaders who has changed sides. I drove on and entered the Am Nabak refugee camp. This was a camp for Darfur refugees but now it was filling up with Chadians also. Natural Resources here are stretched to breaking point. Prefect Abdul Rahaman Tahir
For us Chadians, life here was normal before the Darfur conflict. The Darfur refugees come and take our water even the NGO water supplied is not enough. There are so many problems in this border area, the Sudenese government often enter with the Janjaweed. Thats why so many people flee. VO
The next day a call came through through that the Janjaweed leader had agreed to meet me. Usually shrouded in secrecy, never before have such men agreed to speak to the international press. Phil to Camera
We are just waiting for the Janjaweed leader, who is fairly close, but he has asked us to wait in a secluded spot so we can interview him, I think he is a bit nervous. VO
During my last two trips into Darfur, I saw for myself the violence and killing caused by the Janjaweed. They stand accused of committing the most horrendous atrocities. Now I was about to meet one of their former leaders. Abu Sara
As a tribal leader, the Sudanese government made me an offer. To sponsor me with things such as nice house, communications, cars and money. If I assisted them, pushing back people into North Darfur. Because of what is happening in Darfur, some of the militias are now refusing to work for the government. Phil
Does he believe in the next 3 months more Arab tribes will change to the rebels? So many have joined already. We already have an army of almost 3000 fighters. - You think people are joining the rebels because of the International criminal Court?- Yes of course, but not the well known leaders. I tell you, the Janjaweed dont exist without the government. They are given ID cards and fixed leaders from the government.Now the Sudanese government are creating special courts, to put in prison or even execute militia as war criminals. But these will be scapegoats to hide the real criminals and their links with the government. VOShots of refugees leaving.
The ex janjaweed leader avoided mentioned his own involvement in war crimes. Friendly and calm yet such a man had been part of what the USA declares a genocide.Such men as Abu Sara show that cracks are appearing in the alliance between Arab militias and the Sudanese government. But for the poor chadians in this border region, their only option for survival is to flee.
Director : Phil Cox
Producer: Giovanna Stopponi A Native Voice Films Production 16:9 Aspect Ratio
Duration 6mins 55 secs. VO
I am travelling along one of the most dangerous borders in the world. The border between Eastern Chad and Western Sudan. I have come to see why it is now Chad, and not only its neighbour Darfur, that is now suffering violence and thousands of displaced peoples.As I drive, I am seeing deserted village after deserted village. Just like in Darfur, Chadians have fled their homes. I stopped in one village where now only one man, Abdul Rahman Tahir, remains. Abdul Rahman Tahir
So many Chadians have lost their homes and possessions and children. Mainly all of us who live on this border. Its because of the Sudanese government who come inside Chad and kill. I am so pessimistic, today the Chadians are suffering more than the Sudanese, the world doesnt see this, people focus on Darfur and not the Chadians. VO
I left Abdul and headed south. I soon came across Chadian displaced herders who had fled from their usual grazing grounds for fear of violence and no water. Sheik Adum Modur
Bandits are coming across the border, they steal our camels and burn cars and kill people. Woman
We are not safe here, we have to take care wheever we go. So much stealing. VO
These wells in the Chadian desert mean life or death for tens of thousands of Chadians and their livestocks. With the spill over of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Darfur, these wells are now close to running dry. Sheik Adum Modur
The problem of the water is huge here, before we have two wells but now almost nothing.
VO
The Prefect of Tine nearby to this well told me how resources and security are the main issues on the border. Prefect Tine
Everything has changed here now. there are so many people and lack of services, all our water is has gone. The problem of Chad and Sudan are connected if Darfur is solved then the fighting in Chad will stop also. Security in Sudan means security in Chad. VO
Driving on I soon discovered for myself how dangerous was this border region. Phil to Camera
We have just been stopped by a rebel group, all around this area of eastern Chad, is full of militias and rebels groups, this one is fighting in Darfur against the Sudanese government but they are based here in Chad. VO
This was the JEM rebel group that are based in Chad but fighting against the Sudanese government a few miles away in Darfur. They boarded my car and insisted we follow them. These rebel groups and militias have been known to kidnap and even kill. To ensure my safe passage I agreed to an interview.What they told me however revealed momentous news. Their former enemies, the Janjaweed, who in Darfur and Chad have committed terrible crimes, are now leaving the Sudanese government and joining these rebels. Nasradin Ahmmad TendiJEM
There are now many people from the Arab tribes and Janjaweed who are leaving the Sudanese governementa nd are joining us. We accept them, because they also have been cheated not their leaders who have committed crimes, but the innocent janjaweed we will fight with. VO
The rebels agreed to arrange an interview with one of the Janjaweed leaders who has changed sides. I drove on and entered the Am Nabak refugee camp. This was a camp for Darfur refugees but now it was filling up with Chadians also. Natural Resources here are stretched to breaking point. Prefect Abdul Rahaman Tahir
For us Chadians, life here was normal before the Darfur conflict. The Darfur refugees come and take our water even the NGO water supplied is not enough. There are so many problems in this border area, the Sudenese government often enter with the Janjaweed. Thats why so many people flee. VO
The next day a call came through through that the Janjaweed leader had agreed to meet me. Usually shrouded in secrecy, never before have such men agreed to speak to the international press. Phil to Camera
We are just waiting for the Janjaweed leader, who is fairly close, but he has asked us to wait in a secluded spot so we can interview him, I think he is a bit nervous. VO
During my last two trips into Darfur, I saw for myself the violence and killing caused by the Janjaweed. They stand accused of committing the most horrendous atrocities. Now I was about to meet one of their former leaders. Abu Sara
As a tribal leader, the Sudanese government made me an offer. To sponsor me with things such as nice house, communications, cars and money. If I assisted them, pushing back people into North Darfur. Because of what is happening in Darfur, some of the militias are now refusing to work for the government. Phil
Does he believe in the next 3 months more Arab tribes will change to the rebels? So many have joined already. We already have an army of almost 3000 fighters. - You think people are joining the rebels because of the International criminal Court?- Yes of course, but not the well known leaders. I tell you, the Janjaweed dont exist without the government. They are given ID cards and fixed leaders from the government.Now the Sudanese government are creating special courts, to put in prison or even execute militia as war criminals. But these will be scapegoats to hide the real criminals and their links with the government. VOShots of refugees leaving.
The ex janjaweed leader avoided mentioned his own involvement in war crimes. Friendly and calm yet such a man had been part of what the USA declares a genocide.Such men as Abu Sara show that cracks are appearing in the alliance between Arab militias and the Sudanese government. But for the poor chadians in this border region, their only option for survival is to flee.