Chadian Military Threatens Citizens for Opposing Oil Pipeline

 

For Immediate Release May 30, 2000

As the June 6 decision by the World Bank draws near on whether to fund a controversial oil extraction and pipeline project in Chad and Cameroon, an escalating civil war in Chad is threatening to turn deadly for citizens who oppose the project.

The threats come as the current government, headed by Idriss Deby, increasingly loses control to the rebellion led by the former Defense Minister, Youssouf Togoimi. Once centered mainly in the North, the rebellion is now spreading to southern Chad where the oil for the Chad/Cameroon petroleum project is to be extracted.

Local sources report that military and administrative officials loyal to Deby visited towns and villages in the oil region two weeks ago. They threatened to kill men, women and children who did not denounce the rebellion, adding that anyone who opposes the oil extraction would be summarily executed.

Delphine Djiraibe, a Chadian attorney currently serving a fellowship with the Washington, DC - based group, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), said these threats demonstrate why the World Bank should not rush to approve a proposed $365 million funding package for the Chad/Cameroon Pipeline project.

"Under the constant threat of brutal government repression, it is highly unlikely that the citizens of Chad will reap any benefits from the World Bank’s proposed oil pipeline if it goes forward now and clearly, they stand to be harmed if they try to voice their concerns," Djiraibe said. "Before the Bank supports any new oil development, it must first use its considerable influence and resources to help Chad institute democratic reforms and the capacity to fairly manage the project and its revenues."

Between 1997 and 1998, more than 200 citizens were massacred in Chad’s oil producing regions by government forces in an effort to bring about "peace and stability," intimidate any potential opponents and clear the way for the project to go forward. During their visit, the officials reminded the villagers of this event.

In recent years citizens’ organizations in Chad and Cameroon – as well as 27 members of the US Congress -- have raised concerns with the World Bank regarding the high environmental and social risks of this project. The groups have called for a two-year moratorium to allow Chad to develop a proper legal framework, and establish proper environmental safeguards and human rights protections to deal with the impacts of such a large venture.

The Chad/Cameroon Pipeline Project involves the drilling of 300 oil wells in Chad, extraction of 225,000 barrels of oil per day (peak production), and the construction of a 650-mile long pipeline through Chad and Cameroon. The pipeline route cuts through farmland and natural forests en route to an offshore terminal on the coast of Kribi in Cameroon. The intended recipients of the World Bank loan are the governments of Chad and Cameroon and a multinational consortium of oil companies composed of ExxonMobil, Chevron and the Malaysia’s Petronas.

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