Libya, Chad and the Central Sahara

Libya and Chad have gone to war with each other several times since Independence, ostensibly over their rival claims to the disputed Aozou strip. The author traces the ethnic, cultural and economic links between them over the centuries and shows how these connections contribute to present rivalries. There follows an analysis of Colonel Moammar Gadafi's aggressive policies towards Chad, which reflect his concern for Lybia's security and desire to increase its influence; his struggle against French influence in the region; and his perception of his country as a liberating force for fellow-Muslims in Chad and elsewhere. The author concludes that continued Libyan interest in Chadian affairs is unavoidable and that mutual hostility will continue into the foreseeable future. There are maps of the trade routes of northern Africa and the central Sahara and Sudan.