A Chadian Tragedy

There were no dry eyes in the movie theatre at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta when the documentary, A Chadian Tragedy was screened. President of the Victims Association of Crimes of Hissène Habré Regime (AVCRHH), CLEMENT ABAIFOUTA spoke with NMADIUTO UCHE about the horrors he and several victims experienced at the hands of Dictator Hissène Habré.

Synopsis

During the 8 year reign of terror of Hissène Habré, over 40,000 people were said to have been killed. Clement Abaifouta was asked to singlehandedly bury 1,000 victims during his 4 years in prison. In another scene in this documentary, Abaifouta and another survivor examine together a list with the names of prisoners. In response to some names, he affirms knowing the victim and digging his grave. Women were also counted among the victims of this regime and one of them speaks up in the documentary about being raped and tortured. Several other women sit in shock and cannot speak.

At the end of the movie screening, the audience gave a standing ovation when Clement Abaifouta got up. He was not just a member of the cast, but a survivor with a story to tell. The next morning, we talked about the happy years before his arrest, being in Abeokuta, and the atmosphere in Chad today. . In May 2016, Hissène Habré was sentenced to life in prison by a judging panel set up in Dakar, Senegal. Abaifouta was among the survivors who felt the relief of justice that day

Abeokuta experience

This is my first time in Abeokuta and the people are nice, welcoming, and warm. I really like Nigeria. We share the same border and are like family. When I come here, I do not need a visa and I am not lost. Our cultures share several similarities with the Yorubas. I even taught in Plateau state for several years.
A Chadian Tragedy was screened at the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals. Was the screening at Ake Festival, Abeokuta any different?

I am very proud of the reception here. The cinema was full during the screening and remained silent before the applause at the end. I was very touched by the response to the film and it was difficult to hold back tears. Nigeria has also passed through difficult moments, so this was an audience that understood what the victims have been through. We have also screened this film in Tunisia, Senegal, and Germany. We will be in Dubai, Burkina Faso, and Bamako, Mali next.

Growing up in Chad

I grew up in a happy family. I completed my secondary education in a good school. I have nine younger ones and my parents value me a lot. I was a happy man before the disaster started but I believe in God. God always protected me; He loves and helps me to meet good people, even though life can be difficult sometimes. Currently, I live in Chad, which is in Central Africa. I come from Mayo-Kebbi, South of Chad, which is about 3 hours by road from N’Djamena the capital. I am a son of a fisherman and we have several rivers in this region. I enjoy eating fish and we eat a lot of rice and cassava where I am from. After, I received my Baccalaureate in 1984, I enrolled in my first year of the university to study languages. I had not finished my first year when I was arrested.
Have you been able to uncover the reason behind your arrest?

No, I still ask why I was arrested. The university had just opened after the war and the atmosphere was not conducive for studying. So, I was happy when I received a scholarship to study Sociology in Germany. At that moment, Habre had his special police force, the Documentation and Security Directorate (DDS) who picked up people at random. All over, there was rebellion, but I had no part in politics or the military. I was just a student whose only concern was to study. I had just turned 23. I ask why I spent four years in oblivion. I did not have news of my family and spent all those years in a hole. It melted my heart. I lost everything. Now, I cannot take good care of my family in Chad. It is difficult to find a well-paying job and housing in Africa if one does not attend university. My colleagues who now doctors and engineers, while I am still here. Today, I am happy to speak with young people and galvanize them. I want them to look at the sun. The sun in Africa signifies hope. Therefore, I encourage them to be busy with useful things and not useless pursuits. That is my fight.

What was the reaction from the rest of Africa during Habre’s regime?

Hissen Habre came into power in 1982 and he was removed in 1990. His regime lasted for 8 years. You know the African Union is like a club for Heads of State and these people support each other. As a president, he had a lot of power. It took 25 years to bring him to judgement. It was worth the wait because this is the first time a dictator has been sentenced in Africa for crimes committed during his regime. When a part of Africa experiences problems, we are all affected. It brings us backwards when blood is shed. We went to Europe, America, and all over Africa to sensitize people to support us. This life sentence is highly capital for Africa. We can handle our problems without foreign intervention.

Clearly, you have received a lot of support since the inception of AVCRHH in 2008. What more can still be done?

There is no limit to support victims. A good word such as “I am with you”, “take courage”, and “move forward” can go a long way. This is the first thing you can bring to someone who has suffered fnancial and material support also comes in handy.
How is the atmosphere in Chad today?

There is a general spirit of dissatisfaction. People have not received salary for almost 5 months because of crisis and other measures taken by the government. I cannot say what tomorrow will bring. I am afraid. Yes, the war is over but when someone cannot eat or provide for one’s family, this is a difficult situation. Social problem is a serious sickness.

What do you like in particular about literature from this region?

I like Chinua Achebe. The culture, films, and literature that come out from Nigeria is always strong.