by Meera Selva, The Guardian, UK - The current conflict in Chad has deep roots. The rebels are backed by Sudan. In the 1980s, Muammar Gadafy stirred up more trouble by arming various rebel groups in the region as part of an attempt to create a belt of Arab influence across the Sahel. People still remember his malevolent influence, and the African Union is being incredibly forgiving, forgetful or stupid to give him the role of trying to sort out Chad's current crisis.