N’Djamena has firmly rejected accusations made by the United Nations concerning civilian fatalities resulting from military actions in the Lake Chad basin. Gassim Chérif Mahamat, Chad’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, addressed national media on Thursday, stating, “These allegations seek to undermine the Chadian army and could damage its reputation. The Chadian armed forces maintain their professionalism and remain at the forefront of the fight against terrorism across the Sahel and within the Lake Chad region.”
Earlier in the week, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, had called for thorough, independent investigations into bombardments in northeastern Nigeria. These strikes, attributed to both Nigerian and Chadian military forces, reportedly led to dozens of deaths. “It is imperative that Nigerian and Chadian authorities conduct prompt, comprehensive, independent, and impartial inquiries into these disturbing incidents,” Türk emphasized in a public statement.
For its part, the Nigerian army asserted that its operations targeted a “confirmed terrorist structure, exclusively occupied by non-state armed actors who posed an immediate threat to civilian lives.”
Authorities affirm commitment to transparency
Gassim Chérif Mahamat, the Chadian government spokesperson, reiterated N’Djamena’s readiness to initiate investigations. He also accused Boko Haram of actively destabilizing community coexistence and terrorizing vulnerable populations in already fragile areas daily. “In the spirit of transparency, the Chadian state is prepared to conduct investigations. We possess an independent judiciary and institutions capable of carrying out inquiries with complete openness,” he detailed.
Volker Türk had previously urged the armed forces of both nations to “exercise every possible precaution to avoid striking civilians,” underscoring that military operations must adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and human rights principles. He firmly stated, “Civilians and their property must never become targets of attacks.”
This vast expanse of water and marshlands, bordering Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has regrettably transformed into a jihadist stronghold since 2009, providing refuge for fighters from both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
