6 - Nigeria Enters the Scene

Summary

This chapter looks at the Chadian political scene from February to September 1979. It chronicles the growing interest of Nigeria in influencing the outcome of Chad’s conflicts. It charts the evolution of Franco-Nigerian relations, from close cooperation in early 1979 to open hostility and Nigerian-Libyan rapprochement towards the middle of the year. This was particularly on display in the context of a series of major peace conferences held in Nigeria among different factions during this time. The chapter also examines the debates among French officials over the evolving role of Tacaud. These principally revolved around the main dilemma posed by Tacaud’s presence after the signature of the Lagos agreement creating a new transitional government in August 1979. On the one hand, suspicion grew on all sides, including within the French government, about the French army’s closeness with Habré. This, combined with strong Libyan and Nigerian pressure, led the Lagos agreement to demand the withdrawal of French forces. On the other hand, all of the Chadian factions privately told their French interlocutors that they wanted Tacaud to remain in the country. Consequently, French policymakers debated Tacaud’s usefulness, and whether or not Giscard should order a complete withdrawal.