Mohammed Nour Abdelkerim
Encyclopedia
Mohammed Nour Abdelkerim (* 1960) is a former Chad
ian rebel leader. After signing a peace agreement with the government, he served as Minister of Defense for nine months in 2007.
Nour founded and led the rebel group Rally for Democracy and Liberty
until it became a subsidiary to the United Front for Democratic Change
rebel alliance, led by Nour and formed between December 26-December 28, 2005. Nour masterminded the Second Battle of Adré
on December 18, 2005, that ended with the deaths of either 100 or 300 rebels. After the attack, Chadian President Idriss Déby
declared a state of war
with Sudan
. The first battle of the Chad-Sudan conflict took place on December 26 when Chadian troops crossed the border with Sudan while pursuing the RDL.
Nour said RDL wanted to hold elections after a two-year interim period, but that he would run for office. "I don't even want power after that," he said.
, the first time he was interviewed by a western
journalist, on February 13. He told McDoom that Chadian army deserters join UFDC ranks every day, and that the troops bring their weapons and supplies with them. Colonel Ahmed Youssef Bishara's defection alone brings 1,800 new troops. "There's not been anything as big as this in all my experience. Here we have many heavy weapons and many troops -- much more than Déby had. Déby has taken the money from the Chadian people -- now we want freedom. We have people in the high ranks with us. When Déby is sleeping we know what he just ate for dinner."
, Libya
on December 24, 2006, speaking of the need for reconciliation. Other rebel groups rejected this and said they would continue to fight. On March 4, 2007, he was named Minister of Defense as part of a cabinet reshuffle in the new government of Prime Minister Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye
.
The disarming and integration of FUC fighters into the army, as provided for in the peace agreement, went poorly, and clashes erupted between FUC fighters and the army. Following fighting at Goz-Beïda on October 18, 2007, Nour ordered FUC fighters accept integration into the army, threatening that those who did not would face punishment for insubordination and would be considered deserters. The situation reportedly led to distrust between Déby and Nour and doubts about the loyalty of FUC fighters to the government. Amid escalating fighting in the east with another rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development
, Déby dismissed Nour from the government on December 1, 2007, without giving a reason. Nour took refuge in the Libyan embassy.
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
ian rebel leader. After signing a peace agreement with the government, he served as Minister of Defense for nine months in 2007.
Nour founded and led the rebel group Rally for Democracy and Liberty
Rally for Democracy and Liberty
The Rally for Democracy and Liberty, abbreviated as R.D.L. is a Chadian rebel group that was formed in August of 2005 by former members of the Military of Chad who deserted and united under their founder and current leader, Mohammed Nour...
until it became a subsidiary to the United Front for Democratic Change
United Front for Democratic Change
The United Front for Democratic Change or Front uni pour le changement is a Chadian rebel alliance, made up of eight individual rebel groups, all with the goals of overthrowing the government of current Chadian President. It is now part of the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development. UFDC...
rebel alliance, led by Nour and formed between December 26-December 28, 2005. Nour masterminded the Second Battle of Adré
Second Battle of Adré
The Battle of Adré took place in Adré, Chad on December 18, 2005. The battle began when the Chadian rebel groups Rally for Democracy and Liberty and Platform for Change, Unity, and Democracy , allegedly backed by the government of Sudan, attacked the garrison in this city...
on December 18, 2005, that ended with the deaths of either 100 or 300 rebels. After the attack, Chadian President Idriss Déby
Idriss Déby
General Idriss Déby Itno is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. Déby is of the Bidyat clan of the Zaghawa ethnic group. He added "Itno" to his surname in January 2006.-Rise to power:...
declared a state of war
State of War
State of war may refer to:*a situation where two or more states are at war with each other, with or without a real armed conflict*State of War , a book by James Risen which makes numerous controversial allegations about Central Intelligence Agency activities*State of War , a real-time strategy...
with Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. The first battle of the Chad-Sudan conflict took place on December 26 when Chadian troops crossed the border with Sudan while pursuing the RDL.
Nour said RDL wanted to hold elections after a two-year interim period, but that he would run for office. "I don't even want power after that," he said.
Interview with Opheera McDoom
Mohammed Nour was interviewed by Opheera McDoomOpheera McDoom
Opheera McDoom is a journalist. She is currently a Reuters correspondent. For several years, McDoom has been reporting news in Egypt and Sudan.-Biography:...
, the first time he was interviewed by a western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
journalist, on February 13. He told McDoom that Chadian army deserters join UFDC ranks every day, and that the troops bring their weapons and supplies with them. Colonel Ahmed Youssef Bishara's defection alone brings 1,800 new troops. "There's not been anything as big as this in all my experience. Here we have many heavy weapons and many troops -- much more than Déby had. Déby has taken the money from the Chadian people -- now we want freedom. We have people in the high ranks with us. When Déby is sleeping we know what he just ate for dinner."
Peace agreement
Nour signed a peace agreement with Déby in TripoliTripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
on December 24, 2006, speaking of the need for reconciliation. Other rebel groups rejected this and said they would continue to fight. On March 4, 2007, he was named Minister of Defense as part of a cabinet reshuffle in the new government of Prime Minister Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye
Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye
Nouradine Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye is a Chadian politician and the head of the National Rally for Development and Progress political party. After serving as a minister in the government during the 1980s and early 1990s; he was Prime Minister of Chad from November 6, 1993 to April 8, 1995 and again...
.
The disarming and integration of FUC fighters into the army, as provided for in the peace agreement, went poorly, and clashes erupted between FUC fighters and the army. Following fighting at Goz-Beïda on October 18, 2007, Nour ordered FUC fighters accept integration into the army, threatening that those who did not would face punishment for insubordination and would be considered deserters. The situation reportedly led to distrust between Déby and Nour and doubts about the loyalty of FUC fighters to the government. Amid escalating fighting in the east with another rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development
Union of Forces for Democracy and Development
The Union of Forces for Democracy and Development is the largest group of Chadian rebel forces opposed to current President Idriss Déby...
, Déby dismissed Nour from the government on December 1, 2007, without giving a reason. Nour took refuge in the Libyan embassy.