the French Chad War of 1900.
The French Chad War of 1900
The French Chad war of 1900, was a conflict that took place between the colonial forces of France and the native people of Chad who sought to resist the colonisation of their land. Chad is landlocked territory situated in north central Africa, the north of which borders Libya. From 1900 to 1960, Chad had been colonised by the French in various forms: firstly, from 1900-1920, as the Territory of Chad (Territoire du Tchad) and later, from 1920 -1960, as the Colony of Chad (colonie du Tchad)1.’
From 1887 onwards, France’s colonial aspirations motivated it to move inland from its existing colonies on the West coast of Africa, to claim the territory of Oubangui-Chari (now Central African Republic) and by 1890’s the southern part of Chad2. However, the French incursion into the rest of Chad was repeatedly rebuffed in the 1890s by the forces of Rabih az-Zubayr, a powerful local warlord.
Eventually in 1890, the indigenous communities of Chad, rose up against the French colonial forces in an organised resistance to French colonisation, led by Rabih az-Zubayr, in what would become the French-Chad War of 1900. The Battle of Kousseri was the first major battle of the French-Chad War and took place on the 22nd April 19003. Casualties on the French side amounted to 28 dead, including the death of the leader of the French Forces, Major Amedee-Francois Lamy. The people of Chad suffered the loss of 1000-1500 troops including the death of Rabih az-Zubayr4.
Illustration. ‘A Propos de la Defaite de Rabah' (The ‘Defeat of Rabah’). Le Petit Parisien Newspaper, 4 March 1900. Libyan Heritage House Collection
Senussi Involvement in the French Chad War
The Senussi Movement, realising that the French troops were approaching their Islamic learning centres along the border region with Libya, reorganised themselves and prepared for ‘jihad’. Omar, due to his outstanding leadership skills and knowledge of the terrain, was selected as commander of a battalion and rode with his men to Chad to help the fight against French colonisation5.
Following the Battle of Kousseri, the conflict continued with many battles fought, and whilst much of Chad was eventually defeated by the French due to their advanced weaponry, the regions under Omar’s command remained free from French colonisation6. Omar remained in Chad with his battalion, where he taught and spread the word of Islam, until 1906 when, under orders of the Senussi leadership, he returned to Libya to carry on his teachings and administration at his lodge in Jabal al Akhdar7.
‘Colonies Francaises Le Tchad’ - L Delaporte for Edition Speciale des Produits Chimiques Lion Noir Paris, Postcard, LHH Collection
FOOTNOTES.
Brachet, Julien; Scheele, Judith. The Value of Disorder: Autonomy, Prosperity and Plunder in the Chadian Sahara. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2019. pp. 59–63.
Ibid.,
Ibid.,
“Battle of Kousséri.” Wikipedia, July 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kouss%C3%A9ri.
As-Sallabi, Ali Muhammad. Omar Al Mokhtar Lion of the Desert. Al Firdous, 2011. Pg. 17 & 34-35
Ibid., pg.35-38
Ibid.,