588 Chapter 5
to the Gulf of Sirte, off the Libyan coast. On August 3, two US F-14s pursued two
Libyan MiGs to the Libyan coast.
On August 9, 1983, French troops intervened after a request from the Chad govern-
ment, Zaire (DRC) increased its troop presence to 2,500, and both states filed com-
plaints with the UN Security Council. Chad protested Libyan aircraft attacks inside
its borders, and Libya complained of American provocation. On August 14, a US
spokesman said his government had been in contact with Libya’s about the situation in
Chad, and on August 25, French president Mitterrand proposed a federation for Chad.
A French official discussed the potential federation with Habre, but Oueddei’s govern-
ment rejected the idea because, he said, his government would fight until it controlled
all of Chad. However, Oueddei offered talks on August 29 and said he was open to a
government of national unity on September 21.
In November the OAU announced that talks between Oueddei’s and Habre’s gov-
ernments would begin on December 21. However, Habre’s government requested a
postponement to January 9, and an additional postponement occurred due to the death
of the Chadian foreign minister. Talks quickly fell apart when Habre decided not to
attend the talks personally because he felt that Oueddei had arrived to the capital as
if Oueddei were a head of state, and Oueddei in turn refused to talk with anyone but
Habre. On January 13, the OAU praised Oueddei for his willingness to cooperate and
criticized Habre for his lack of cooperation. Meanwhile, fighting continued.
On February 1, 1984, the French government proposed that French and Libyan troops
leave Chad at the same time while allowing an African peacekeeping force. French offi-
cials met with Qaddafi on February 4, but they failed to reach an agreement. Qaddafi
suggested someone other than Oueddei and Habre head a unified government of Chad.
On April 30, Qaddafi offered to withdraw Libyan forces from northern Chad so the
French could not continue to use Libyan troops to justify their presence. However, he
objected to Habre leading a unified Chad. The next day Oueddei said that the Libyans
would leave if the French did. On May 29, Habre told French television that he would
step down if it would lead to peace in Chad. Meanwhile, clashes continued.
On September 17, 1984, France and Libya agreed to withdraw their troops within
eight days under the observation of neutral African states. However, Chad refused
to allow third-party inspectors into the country, so with Chad’s approval Libya and
France formed a joint commission to oversee the withdrawal. On November 10, the
joint commission released a communique that both sides had completed their with-
drawals; however, on December 5, 3,000 Libyan troops remained in the Aouzou Strip,
on the border between Libya and Chad. In March 1985 the French reported that Libya
had increased its troop presence to 7,000.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 27, 1983. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
MID#3635
Dispute Number: 3635
Date(s): February 10, 1986 to September 11, 1987
Participants: 620 Libya/220 France, 483 Chad
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing