N’Djamena defends national armed forces

Government spokesperson Gassim Chérif Mahamat strongly rejected allegations that could, in his view, “undermine the reputation of the Chadian military.” He emphasized that national forces remain “highly professional” and fully committed to combating terrorism across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. These remarks follow a United Nations Human Rights Office statement reporting airstrikes by Chadian and Nigerian forces in Nigeria’s northeast that allegedly resulted in dozens of civilian deaths.

UN calls for independent investigations

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged authorities in Chad and Nigeria to conduct “prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial” inquiries into the incidents. He also stressed that military operations must prioritize civilian safety, warning that “civilians and their property must never be targeted.”

Chad commits to transparent inquiries

While firmly rejecting the accusations, Chad’s government stated its readiness to investigate. Gassim Chérif Mahamat highlighted the country’s “independent judiciary,” capable of conducting inquiries with full transparency. Nigeria’s military responded similarly, asserting that their strikes targeted an “established terrorist compound” exclusively occupied by armed groups.

The Lake Chad basin: a long-standing jihadist stronghold

For over fifteen years, the Lake Chad basin has been a major jihadist hub in Africa. This marshy region spanning Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad serves as a refuge for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters. Regional armies conduct regular military operations against these groups amid an unstable security landscape.