Biden Shouldn’t Let Chad Become Another Sudan
When the US and its allies allow military rulers to put off a transition to civilian rule, they sow the seeds for instability and conflict.
He needs a US push to do the right thing.
Photographer: Denis Sassou Gueipeur/AFP via Getty Images
As the Biden administration watches two generals grapple for power in Sudan, it will be keeping a close eye on a third: Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby, who heads the military-led government in neighboring Chad. The contest for Khartoum could easily unbalance the loose coalition of interests that make up his regime in N’Djamena.
But rather than use this as a pretext to protect Deby and absolve Chad’s authoritarian drift, the US should recognize the lessons of Sudan: Men in uniform cannot be relied upon to ensure stability, or to keep promises to pass the reins to civilians.