Mohammed Nour Abdelkerim
Mohammed Nour Abdelkerim | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 Eastern Chad |
| Occupation(s) | Rebel commander, politician |
| Known for | Leadership of Rally for Democracy and Liberty; Minister of Defense of Chad (2007) |
Mohammed Nour Abdelkerim (born 1960) is a former rebel commander from Chad who held the position of Minister of Defense for a nine-month period in 2007, following the signing of a peace accord with the government.
Originating from eastern Chad, Nour is a member of the Tama ethnic group and is connected to notable individuals such as Mahamat Garfa and Mahamat Abbo Sileck.
He established and led the insurgent faction known as the Rally for Democracy and Liberty, which later joined the United Front for Democratic Change (UFDC), a coalition of rebel groups formed in late December 2005 under Nour’s leadership. On December 18, 2005, he directed the Battle of Adré, an engagement that resulted in heavy losses for his forces. In response to this confrontation, President Idriss Déby declared a state of war with Sudan. The initial clash of the Chadian Civil War (2005–2010) took place on December 26 when the Chadian National Army entered Sudanese territory in pursuit of RDL units.
Interview with Opheera McDoom
During his first discussion with a Western journalist on February 13, 2006, Nour reported ongoing defections from the Chadian military to the UFDC. Notably, Colonel Ahmed Youssef Bishara defected along with 1,800 soldiers and substantial heavy weaponry. Nour highlighted his organization’s increasing power relative to Déby’s forces and asserted that they enjoyed covert support within government circles.
Peace agreement
On December 24, 2006, Nour signed a reconciliation agreement with Déby in Tripoli, Libya, although other rebel groups rejected this settlement. Subsequently, on March 4, 2007, he was appointed Minister of Defense in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye.
The process of disarming and assimilating FUC combatants into the national army encountered significant obstacles, sparking violent incidents. Following clashes in Goz Beïda during October 2007, Nour issued an ultimatum for FUC fighters to integrate or face disciplinary action for insubordination. This development intensified tensions between Déby and Nour amid growing suspicions regarding FUC allegiance. As conflict escalated with the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development, Déby relieved Nour of his ministerial duties on December 1, 2007, without providing reasons. Nour’s openly anti-Zaghawa position contributed to deteriorating relations culminating in his dismissal. He subsequently took refuge at the Libyan embassy.