Region:
Middle Africa
Capital:
N’Djamena
Population:
9 538 544 (July
2004 est.)
Surface
area:
1 284 000 square
km
Currency:
CFA franc
GDP
per capita:
$1 200 (2003
est.)
Background:
Chad,
part of France's
African holdings
until 1960, endured
three decades
of ethnic warfare
as well as invasions
by Libya before
a semblance of
peace was finally
restored in 1990.
The government
eventually suppressed
or came to terms
with most political-military
groups, settled
a territorial
dispute with
Libya on terms
favorable to
Chad, drafted
a democratic
constitution,
and held multiparty
presidential
elections in
1996 and 1997.
In 1998, a new
rebellion broke
out in northern
Chad, which sporadically
flares up despite
two peace agreements
signed in 2002
and 2003 between
the government
and the rebels.
There is movement
toward democratic
reforms, but
power remains
in the hands
of a northern
ethnic oligarchy.
Economy
– overview:
Chad's
primarily agricultural
economy will
continue to be
boosted by major
oilfield and
pipeline projects
that began in
2000. Over 80%
of Chad's population
relies on subsistence
farming and stock
raising for its
livelihood. Cotton,
cattle, and gum
arabic provide
the bulk of Chad's
export earnings.
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. Oil production
came on stream
in late 2003.
United
Nations Membership
date:
20 September
1960
New
York Mission:
Permanent Mission
of the Republic
of Chad to the
United Nations
211 East 43rd
Street, Suite
1703, New York,
N.Y. 10017
Telephone: 212-986-0980
Fax: 212-986-0152
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