On 21 August 1979, in Lagos (Nigeria), representatives of eleven factions in the Chadian Civil War sign the Lagos Accord on national reconciliation — the understanding that sets procedures for the Transitional Government of National Unity (GUNT).

By agreement, Goukouni Oueddei is named president, Wadel Abdelkader Kamougué vice-president, and Hissène Habré defence minister. Portfolios are split between south (11) and north/centre/east (13), balancing protégés of neighbouring states.

An OAU peacekeeping mission (Congo, Guinea, Benin) was to replace French troops but never materialized effectively. GUNT was sworn in in November 1979.

Factional mistrust left militias armed; from January 1980 fighting escalated again. The OAU later reaffirmed support for GUNT and the Lagos Accord.

For Chad, 21 August 1979 marks the Lagos signature.

The accord is documented in OAU / African Union resolutions and Chadian conflict historiography.

The Lagos Accord of 21 August 1979 remains the GUNT milestone in Chad.

Image: Lagos/Chad; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Lagos Accord. Treaty text: OAU — AHG/Res.102 (XVIII) on Chad / Lagos Accord.