The violence was caused by Janjaweed militia who were assigned by the Sudanese government to fight rebels in Darfur but began conducting raids into Chadian territory.

"[6] Another major concern for Nadingar at the Defense Ministry was keeping order within the armed forces, which included some dissatisfied elements who reportedly sought the ouster of President Idriss Déby.

[9] Nadingar said on 18 May that the government was making progress in negotiations with a group of rebel soldiers who were holding out at the Gassi garrison in eastern N'Djamena.

He sought to downplay the seriousness of the incident, saying that the soldiers had not wanted to remove President Idriss Déby from power but were merely dissatisfied over the suspension of their pay.

[10] Having previously served in an acting capacity, Nadingar was formally appointed as Minister of Defense, Veterans, and War Victims on 23 July 2004.