UN-OHRLLS :: Chad

Chad

Location: Central Africa

Capital: N'Djamena

Population (2011):10,758,945

Surface area: 1.284 million sq km

Currency:

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale franc

GDP per capita (2009): US $ 610

Historical background:

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007. The capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early 2008.

Economy – overview:

Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and are currently building a 300-km pipeline and the country's first refinery. The nation's total oil reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings.

Human Development Index ranking (2010): 163 out of 169

Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (2009): US $ 561 million

Top Three Donors of gross ODA (2008-2009 average):

EU institutions, United States, France

Total External Debt (2009): US $1.743 billion

HIPC Position (2011): Decision Point achieved

United Nations Membership date:20 September 1960

New York Mission:

Address: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations

129 East 36th Street, New York, N.Y. 10016

Telephone: (212) 986-0980, -0262

Telefax: (212) 986-0152