The United Nations Security Council has condemned rebel attacks on the Chadian capital of Ndjamena in a non-binding resolution which gives other countries the green light to back the corrupt Chadian government. “The Security Council calls upon member states to provide support in conformity with the United Nations charter as requested by the government of Chad,” said current council president Ricardo Alberto Arias. An initial draft by France to support President Idriss Déby Itno of Chad “by all necessary means,” was changed to satisfy Russia for what was seen as a reference to military aid.

In October 2006, Chad was described as the world’s most corrupt nation by Forbes magazine for “what may turn out to be the single most piggish use of philanthropic funds”. $30 million in proceeds from an oil pipeline through Chad and Cameroon were not used by President Déby to assist and feed “the desperately poor people of these nations” as promised, but was used instead to buy arms to keep his government in power. Western powers have been concerned for years that continued attacks from groups possibly backed by neighboring Sudan could replace Déby with a government less subservient to their interests.

The rebels first attacked Ndjamena on Friday.

A force of 1,000-1,500 fighters, equipped with pickup trucks mounted with machine guns, arrived on the capital’s outskirts after a three-day push across the desert from Chad’s eastern border with Sudan.

They penetrated the city early on Saturday, reportedly trapping Deby in his palace.

The government launched a counterattack on Sunday and the rebels pulled back that evening in what they said was a tactical withdrawal to give Ndjamena’s inhabitants a chance to flee.

Analysts fear the fighting could broaden into a wider regional conflict.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said France and the EU would send troops with the UN Security Council’s approval. He continued, “We must avoid a conflict in Chad by supporting the legitimate government.” After this call for military intervention, Sarkozy then made the ironic statement that, “In no region should weapons be a way to come to power.”

President Déby seized power in a coup in 1990 and has managed to stay in power with French-backing through various rebellions, claims of corruption, and election fraud. Déby is so unpopular that he even faces opposition from members of his own family. Western powers fear that if his government falls, a new government could start selling oil to China, giving the Chinese access to oil pipelines across Africa. Chad’s oil production is a project run by ExxonMobil and financed from loans made by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.

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