GOUKOUNI QUEDDEI

Goukouni Oueddei was a prominent Chadian politician and military leader, born in 1944 in Zouar. He emerged as a political figure in the late 1960s, joining the National Liberation Front of Chad (FROLINAT) as a militant under the leadership of Abba Siddick. FROLINAT aimed to challenge the political dominance of southerners during François Tombalbaye's presidency and sought greater representation for northern and central Chadians. After Tombalbaye's assassination in 1975, Chad descended into a complex civil war involving multiple factions and international powers.

On March 23, 1979, Goukouni was appointed as interim head of state and later became the President of the Transitional Government of National Unity (GUNT) on November 10, 1979. His government was marked by a coalition that included various factions, but internal rivalries, particularly with Hissène Habré, hampered effective governance. Perceived as a puppet of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Goukouni's administration struggled amidst political strife and was eventually overthrown by Habré loyalists in June 1982, forcing him into exile in Libya.

With Libyan support, Goukouni returned to Chad in the 1980s to lead guerrilla warfare against Habré's regime. Despite his recognized opposition, he faced restrictions and was placed under house arrest in Tripoli in 1985 after attempting to negotiate with Habré. Following a violent incident that resulted in his injury, he broke ties with Libya and sought refuge in Algeria.

In later years, Goukouni attempted to mediate peace in Chad, notably meeting with President Idriss Déby in 2007. He returned to Chad that same year, advocating for reconciliation among opposing factions. His diplomatic efforts extended to the Great Lakes region in 2015, where he was appointed as a special envoy amidst the Burundian unrest.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goukouni_Oueddei