Chad

Chad

Introduction

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.

Geography

Location

Central Africa, south of Libya

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 1.284 million sq km
country comparison to the world: 21 land:1,259,200 sq km
water:24,800 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly more than three times the size of California

Land boundaries

total: 5,968 km
border countries:Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

tropical in south, desert in north

Terrain

broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Djourab 160 m
highest point:Emi Koussi 3,415 m

Natural resources

petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Land use

arable land: 2.8%
permanent crops:0.02%
other:97.18% (2005)

Irrigated land

300 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

43 cu km (1987)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.23cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%)
per capita:24cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north

periodic droughts

locust plagues

Environment – current issues

inadequate supplies of potable water

improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution

desertification

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Geography – note

landlocked

Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Chadian(s)
adjective:Chadian

Ethnic groups

Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census)

Languages

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Religions

Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census)

Population

10,758,945 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Age structure

0-14 years: 46% (male 2,510,656/female 2,441,780)
15-64 years:51% (male 2,531,896/female 2,960,406)
65 years and over:2.9% (male 131,805/female 182,402) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 16.8 years
male:15.6 years
female:17.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.009% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Birth rate

39.4 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Death rate

15.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Net migration rate

-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Urbanization

urban population: 28% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

N’DJAMENA (capital) 808,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.85 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.73 male(s)/female
total population:0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

1,200 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 3

Infant mortality rate

total: 95.31 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 9 male:101.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female:89.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 48.33 years
country comparison to the world: 218 male:47.28 years
female:49.43 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.05 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Health expenditures

7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 79

Physicians density

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 180

Hospital bed density

0.43 beds/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 171

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 67% of population
rural: 44% of population
total: 50% of population
unimproved:
urban: 33% of population
rural: 56% of population
total: 50% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 23% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 77% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 91% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

3.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

210,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

HIV/AIDS – deaths

11,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:malaria
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
respiratory disease:meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

33.9% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 12

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 124

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic
total population:25.7%
male:40.8%
female:12.8% (2000 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 7 years
male:9 years
female:5 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form:Chad
local long form:Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad
local short form:Tchad/Tshad

Government type

republic

Capital

name: N’Djamena
geographic coordinates:12 06 N, 15 02 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

22 regions (regions, singular – region)

Barh el Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Ville de N’Djamena, Wadi Fira

Independence

11 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Constitution

passed by referendum 31 March 1996

a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and customary law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990)
head of government:Prime Minister Emmanuel NADINGAR (since 5 March 2010)
cabinet:Council of State

members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting

last election held on 25 April 2011 (next to be held by 2016)

prime minister appointed by the president
election results:Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president

percent of vote – Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 83.6%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 8.6%, Nadji Madou 7.8%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (188 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:National Assembly – last held on 13 February 2011 (next to be held by 2015)

note – legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – ART 133, UNDR 11, others 44

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Constitutional Council

High Court of Justice

Court of Appeal

Criminal Courts

Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for the Renaissance of Chad or ART, an alliance among the ruling MPS, RDP, and Viva-RNDP

Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]

National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP [Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE]

National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]

Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]

Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]

Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

rebel groups

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamoud Adam BECHIR
chancery:2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 462-4009
FAX:[1] (202) 265-1937

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE
embassy:Avenue Felix Eboue, N’Djamena
mailing address:B. P. 413, N’Djamena
telephone:[235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59
FAX:[235] 251-56-54

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red

the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors

blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered

yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country

red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice
note:similar to the flag of Romania

also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band

design was based on the flag of France

National symbol(s)

goat (north)

lion (south)

National anthem

name: “La Tchadienne” (The Chadian)
lyrics/music:Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD
note:adopted 1960

Economy

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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.36 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131 $16.52 billion (2009 est.)
$16.48 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.848 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69 0.3% (2009 est.)
-0.4% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$1,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198 $1,600 (2009 est.)
$1,600 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 52%
industry:7%
services:41.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.293 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 83

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)
industry and services:20% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%:30.8% (2003)

Investment (gross fixed)

33.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

Budget

revenues: $2.019 billion
expenditures:$2.928 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3 10% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 77 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 15% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 $972.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 $1.045 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$710.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 $587.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca)

cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Industries

oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Electricity – production

100 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity – consumption

93 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

126,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Oil – consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Oil – exports

115,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Oil – imports

1,837 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

Oil – proved reserves

1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Current account balance

-$2.512 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165 -$2.305 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$3.16 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120 $2.709 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic

Exports – partners

US 71.9%, China 16.9%, Netherlands 4.6% (2010)

Imports

$2.94 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141 $2.539 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports – partners

China 29.4%, France 14.3%, Cameroon 12.2%, US 8.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$638.6 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146 $616.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$1.743 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142 $1.743 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA (31 December 2010)
$4.5 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
495.28 (2010)
472.19 (2009)
447.81 (2008)
480.1 (2007)
522.59 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

56 (2010)
country comparison to the world:83

Airports – with paved runways

total: 8
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 48
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:15
914 to 1,523 m:21
under 914 m:10 (2010)

Pipelines

oil 265 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 40,000 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 90

Waterways

(Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season) (2010)

Military

Military branches

Armed Forces: Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT), Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie (2008)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation

18 years of age for volunteers

no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a parent or guardian

women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,090,244
females age 16-49:2,441,321 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,183,242
females age 16-49:1,395,811 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 128,723
female:128,244 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 86

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad

Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry

Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya

only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission’s admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 234,000 (Sudan)

54,200 (Central African Republic)
IDPs:178,918 (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation

the majority of children are trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, involuntary agricultural labor, or for commercial sexual exploitation

to a lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the Government of Chad does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking

however, it is making significant efforts to do so

the Government of Chad reportedly ended all child conscription into its national army and continued to engage in efforts to demobilize remaining child soldiers from rebel forces

fewer efforts were made to address the forced labor of children in cattle herding, domestic service, and begging, or to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of Chadian children

the government did not enact legislation prohibiting trafficking in persons and undertook limited anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection activities (2011)