May 2,2008: The European peacekeeping force is still dribbling into Chad. Full strength of 3,700 troops won't be achieved until next month, if then. It's very slow going getting personnel and equipment into landlocked Chad. Meanwhile, NGOs and aid workers are at more risk. This week, the head of the "Save The Children" NGO was killed by men pretending to be soldiers (or maybe they were soldiers moonlighting as bandits). Many NGOs are pulling out of Chad, or planning to do so. If the European peacekeepers do not reduce the banditry and violence this Summer, a lot of the aid groups will be gone by the end of the year. The smart money is on the bandits.

April 26, 2008: Attempts to placate rebel groups by bringing some rebel leaders into the government (and paying them a share of the oil money) have failed. One of the largest rebel groups, the National Alliance, refused to participate and accused the government of being stingy and unreliable. The friction in Chad is largely based on personal animosity and tribal rivalries. It's difficult to make peace under these conditions.

April 23, 2008: Foreign food aid organizations plan to increase refugee food rations (which had been cut in half this month) in May, to restore them to normal.